DOH TO PUBLISH LIST OF ‘GHOST’ HEALTH CENTERS NEXT WEEK

The Department of Health (DOH) will release a list next week of completed but non-functional health facilities built under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), which some lawmakers have called “ghost health projects.”

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa revealed that around 70 percent of these facilities remain idle despite substantial funding given to local government units (LGUs), which are responsible for operating the centers.

Herbosa emphasized that his goal is not to assign blame but to find ways to make the facilities functional, including partnerships with private entities and DOH personnel support.

He also raised concern about the declining number of midwives, citing policy changes and the transfer of the midwifery scholarship program to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as contributing factors.

Herbosa plans to meet with CHED to improve coordination in deploying health scholars to strengthen the country’s primary health care system.

Source: PhilNews24 | October 9, 2025