TIME FOR A CABINET CLUSTER FOR PEDIATRIC HEALTHCARE

TIME FOR A CABINET CLUSTER FOR PEDIATRIC HEALTHCARE

In many parts of the world, it is standard—almost unquestioned—that hospitals must have pediatric wards. After all, children are not just small adults; they require specialized care, facilities, and attention. In the Philippines, many private hospitals provide this, but when it comes to public hospitals, especially in provinces and far-flung areas, the story is alarmingly different.

In far too many government-run facilities, there are no dedicated pediatric wards. In some cases, there might be a few pediatric beds, but not a formal structure with trained personnel focused on children’s health. This isn’t just a gap in service—it is a silent failure to prioritize the health and future of Filipino children.

A National Gap with Local Consequences

It’s easy to assume that our provincial and district hospitals, funded and managed by local governments under the devolution of health services, are equipped for the task. But this assumption is far from reality. While some provincial hospitals do have pediatric wards—like Bataan General Hospital, Bulacan Medical Center, and Cebu Provincial Hospital—many others don’t. And district hospitals? The situation is often worse.

Devolution, in theory, empowers local governments. In practice, it has created a patchwork of healthcare quality, with the poorest LGUs often having the weakest hospital systems. The Department of Health (DOH) provides some financial support to local hospitals, but this is neither consistent nor sufficient. And as budgets tighten, pediatric care—seen by some as “non-urgent”—falls lower on the priority list.

From a TWG to a Cabinet Cluster

In previous discussions, the idea of forming a Technical Working Group (TWG) was floated to assess the need for mandatory pediatric wards. That’s a good starting point—but we need to think bigger and act faster. I now propose the creation of a Cabinet Cluster for Child and Maternal Health.

Why a Cabinet Cluster?

Because pediatric healthcare cannot be the responsibility of the DOH alone. We need high-level coordination across multiple departments, including:

  • Department of Health (DOH) – to set pediatric care standards and provide technical support.
  • Department of Budget and Management (DBM) – to ensure sustainable funding for new and existing pediatric facilities.
  • Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – to monitor LGU compliance and performance.
  • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – to link pediatric care with social protection programs.
  • National Nutrition Council (NNC) – to address malnutrition, stunting, and wasting.
  • Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – to incentivize the training of more pediatricians, nurses, and allied professionals.
  • PhilHealth – to expand pediatric coverage and improve hospital reimbursements for child health services.

This Cabinet Cluster would not only coordinate policy but could also oversee the implementation of a National Pediatric Health Roadmap—a blueprint for expanding access, upgrading infrastructure, and training personnel nationwide.

More Than a Bed and a Ward

A proper pediatric ward is not just a room with small beds. It must be staffed with trained pediatricians, nurses, nutritionists, social workers, and child psychologists. It should cater not only to illnesses but also to maternal health, newborn screening, vaccination, malnutrition, disability assessment, and even mental health support for young patients.

It is also the ideal gateway to reintegrate public health campaigns—on breastfeeding, immunization, hygiene, and family planning—into hospital-based care.

A Special Fund for a Special Mission

While reversing devolution may be legally complex and politically difficult, Congress can still act decisively by creating a Special Pediatric Health Fund. This fund could be administered jointly by DOH and DILG, with clear criteria for hospital upgrades, equipment acquisition, and staff training.

Additionally, this Cabinet Cluster can work with multilateral partners such as UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank to leverage international funding and technical support, especially for under-resourced LGUs.

Why This Must Be a National Priority

More than 30% of Filipino children suffer from stunting. Many more lack access to timely medical care. With every missed vaccination, every untreated infection, and every undiagnosed developmental delay, we lose part of our nation’s potential.

This is why pediatric healthcare must be seen not as a provincial burden, but as a national mission. Every child, no matter where they are born, deserves specialized care. Every hospital, regardless of location, should be equipped to provide it.

Final Thought

Let’s not wait for a crisis to push us into action. Let us institutionalize a Cabinet Cluster for Child and Maternal Health, backed by real funding, empowered by inter-agency coordination, and focused on closing the gaps in pediatric care.

A hospital without a pediatric ward is a hospital that turns its back on its youngest patients. We can—and must—do better.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-11-2025

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