A reclassification program of the Department of Health meant to require downgraded facilities to upgrade, will affect almost all of the 1,800 hospitals in the country. This includes more than 500 primary hospitals, most of them in small towns and municipalities 4 to 5 hours away from nearest government hospitals that don't have blood banks and operating room. Affected will be about 8,000 patients of these soon-to-be-classified mere "infirmaries" because they only have 5 to 15 beds each. "Infirmaries" will no longer be automatically accredited by the Philhealth, making it more difficult for the poor to access healthcare. This reclassification will also douse the dreams of healthworkers -- nurses, doctors, medical technicians, pharmacists, and others -- who are eyeing positions abroad. Employers abroad require potential employees to have worked in tertiary facilities before they can be hired.


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