SEN. GUINGONA BATS TO MODERNIZE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE  GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION EYED

Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has filed Senate Bill No. 2473 that aims to regulate and modernize the practice of medical technology in the Philippines.

Sen. Guingona said that there is a need to update Republic Act 5527, otherwise known as the "Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969," as rapid changes and development in health and information technology, complexities in Filipino lifestyle and population growth, and increasing global competition have transpired in the last four decades.

"Majority of the sections of the law has become obsolete and no longer applies to present conditions as it was originally created. The scope of practice and the roles of medical technologists have extended to other areas beyond the realm of clinical laboratory setting. With this development, the law is in need of significant revisions in order to properly address the existing and evolving demands of the Medical Technology profession," Sen. Guingona said.

The proposed measure seeks the creation of a homogenous Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology that shall be composed of three medical technologists and chaired by a medical technologist.

SBN 2473 noted that being a regulatory body which ensures the regulation of the practice and monitoring of the conditions affecting the profession for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards and the protection of interests of members of the profession, it is but reasonable that this be headed by one who comes from the same discipline. Other Professional Regulatory Boards are composed and chaired by members of their own professions. The medical technology profession is also seeking the same status and recognition accorded to other boards.

Another proposed revision is the inclusion of molecular and cytogenetic technologies, drug teseting, phlebotomy and teaching of professional courses in the scope of practice.

The third revision that SBN 2473 proposes is the creation of the Technical Commitee for Medical Technology Education under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Continuing Professional Development Council for Medical Technology Education under the Professional Regulatory Commission. These will form as a vital support mechanisms to further improve the practice and ensure global competitiveness of medical technologists.

The bill likewise proposes that the minimum base pay of a registered medical technologist should not be lower than an amount equivalent to Salary Grade 15 under the Republic Act 6758, Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989, and the approved Joint Resolution No. 4 of Congress 2009. This was proposed to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of medical technologists.