Section 34March 26, 1992, Sec./Art. 34

Health Human Resource Development/ Management Study. - The Department of Health shall conduct a periodic health human resource development/management study into, among others, the following areas:

a) adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality health care to patients and other client population:

b) opportunity for health workers to grow and develop their potentials and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work. Public health workers who undertake postgraduate studies in a degree course shall be entitled to an upgrading in their position or raise in pay: provided, that it shall not be more often than every two (2) years;

c) mechanisms for democratic consultation in government health institutions;

d) staffing patterns and standards of health care to ensure that the people receive quality care. Existing recommendations on staffing and standards of health care shall be immediately and strictly enforced;

e) ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of educational opportunities for personal growth and development;

f) upgrading of working conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries of public health workers to correct disparity vis-a-vis other professions such that positions requiring longer study be upgraded and given corresponding pay scale; and

g) assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled health human resource to focus on how these resources could instead be utilized productively for the country's needs.

There is hereby created a Congressional Commission on Health (HEALTHCOM) to review and assess health human resource development, particularly on continuing professional education and training and the other areas described above. The Commission shall be composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives and five (5) members of the Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the chairpersons of the Committee on Health of both houses. It shall render a report and recommendation to Congress which shall be the basis for policy legislation in the field of health. Such a congressional review shall be undertaken once every five (5) years.