DOH Investigates 300 Non-Operational Super Health Centers Nationwide

The Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an internal investigation into the status of more than 300 Super Health Centers across the country that remain non-operational despite being declared completed.

Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa disclosed the development during his appearance before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Friday, following his recent revelation that 297 facilities were found to be idle.

“Yesterday, I said 297, thinking the number went down because one facility opened. But instead, it went up — it’s now 300,” Herbosa said in a press interview.

A total of 880 Super Health Centers were funded under the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP), according to Herbosa. Of these, around 500 projects were reported as completed, while construction remains underway for the rest.

However, DOH inspections revealed that 300 of the supposedly completed centers are still not operational.

Herbosa explained that confusion arose from the inconsistent use of the term “completed.” In several instances, the reported completion referred only to Phase 1 of construction.

“I felt deceived. They told me the project was completed, but it turned out only the foundation was done,” Herbosa said.

To prevent similar misunderstandings, the DOH has since adopted the term “ready for occupancy” to refer only to fully finished and functional facilities.

Preliminary findings indicate that the main causes of non-operation include the absence of electricity and water supply, both of which are under the responsibility of local government units (LGUs). Herbosa added that LGUs are also in charge of recruiting doctors, nurses, and midwives to staff the centers, while the DOH’s role is limited to providing grants and funding construction.

The ICI has directed the DOH to continue its case buildup and investigation, and to submit all findings to the commission. It also recommended that the agency establish a Citizens Participatory Action mechanism that would allow the public to report idle or non-functional Super Health Centers in their localities.