HIV infection, one of five prioritized for clinical practice guidelines

The Department of Health this month announced the prioritization of five topics for development of clinical practice guidelines through the University of the Philippines' National Institutes of Health. The priority CPG topics include COVID-19 and other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, substance use disorder, animal bites, adult asthma, and HIV infection.

The list was the result of a call made in 2022 for CPG topics for DOH funding under the Expanded National Practice Guidelines Program. Pursuant to the Universal Health Care Act, Republic Act No. 11223, the DOH is mandated "to set standards for clinical care through the use of clinical practice guidelines to regulate and ensure the safety and quality of health care services in the Philippines" 

Per the DOH's Department Circular (DC) No. 2023-0181, CPG developers are advised of the submission dates for appraisal: January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31. Appraisal reports are expected to be released within two months after every submission date.

Read: DC No. 2023-0181 dated April 13, 2023.