A total of 72 private lying-in clinics in Quezon City, mostly situated in the poorest communities, may be shut down for failing to comply with local and national health standards.
The Quezon City Health Department has recommended the closure of the clinics, mostly located in the second district which consists of Barangays Payatas, Bagong Silangan, Batasan Hills, Holy Spirit and Commonwealth.
According to Verdades Linga, city health officer, there were about 121 private lying-in clinics in Quezon City, although only 39 were operating with sanitary permits.
Deadline for compliance
In a statement, Mayor Herbert Bautista gave the owners of the establishments until the end of the third quarter of the year to comply with the rules set by the health department.
He said the city government would be forced to close them down if they fail to meet the deadline.
According to Linga, six clinics recommended for closure have already agreed to voluntarily close down.
Bautista, however, expressed concern that the move might encourage the proliferation of traditional midwives, also known as hilot.
“It is but necessary that the city guide these clinics on how to adhere to prescribed health standards,” he said.
Bautista ordered that a technical working group with representatives from several national and local agencies, as well as lying-in clinics, be created to formulate guidelines for the improvement of health care facilities in the city.