HEALTH CENTER
A HEALTH CENTER IS A COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITY THAT PROVIDES BASIC AND ACCESSIBLE
HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, OFTEN FOCUSED ON PREVENTIVE CARE, PRIMARY
TREATMENT, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. IN THE PHILIPPINES, A HEALTH CENTER—ESPECIALLY AT
THE BARANGAY LEVEL—IS USUALLY STAFFED BY PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS SUCH AS BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS (BHWS), MIDWIVES, OR NURSES, AND OPERATES UNDER THE SUPERVISION
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) OR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT (LGU).
THESE CENTERS OFFER SERVICES LIKE IMMUNIZATION, MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE, FAMILY
PLANNING, NUTRITION PROGRAMS, FIRST AID, AND CONSULTATIONS FOR COMMON ILLNESSES.
THEIR MAIN PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SERVE AS THE FIRST POINT OF
CONTACT FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO LARGER HOSPITALS OR CLINICS,
ESPECIALLY IN RURAL OR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.
THE COMMON SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR A HEALTH CENTER, ESPECIALLY AT THE BARANGAY
OR PRIMARY CARE LEVEL, ARE BASED ON THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES IT PROVIDES. THESE SPACES
ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT BASIC MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS, PREVENTIVE CARE, AND HEALTH
EDUCATION. HERE’S A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF EACH REQUIRED SPACE TYPICALLY FOUND IN
A HEALTH CENTER:
1. RECEPTION AND WAITING AREA
THIS IS WHERE PATIENTS FIRST ARRIVE, REGISTER, AND WAIT FOR THEIR TURN. IT SHOULD BE
COMFORTABLE AND WELL-VENTILATED, WITH SEATING FOR AT LEAST 10–20 PEOPLE DEPENDING
ON THE SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY. IT MAY INCLUDE HEALTH POSTERS OR EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS, A DISPLAY BOARD, AND ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER.
2. CONSULTATION ROOM
THIS PRIVATE ROOM IS WHERE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS MEET WITH PATIENTS TO ASSESS
SYMPTOMS AND PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. IT TYPICALLY INCLUDES A DESK, CHAIRS, AN
EXAMINATION TABLE, BASIC DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS (LIKE A STETHOSCOPE AND BLOOD PRESSURE
MONITOR), AND A SINK FOR SANITATION.
3. TREATMENT OR EXAMINATION ROOM
SOMETIMES SEPARATE FROM THE CONSULTATION AREA, THIS SPACE IS USED FOR
ADMINISTERING INJECTIONS, DRESSING WOUNDS, OR CONDUCTING MINOR MEDICAL
PROCEDURES. IT MUST BE CLEAN, WELL-LIT, AND EQUIPPED WITH STERILE SUPPLIES AND
STORAGE CABINETS.
4. MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE ROOM
THIS DEDICATED SPACE ACCOMMODATES PRENATAL CHECKUPS, POSTPARTUM
CONSULTATIONS, AND CHILD IMMUNIZATIONS. IT USUALLY INCLUDES A BABY
SCALE, EXAMINATION BED, STORAGE FOR VACCINES, AND VISUAL AIDS FOR
HEALTH EDUCATION.
5. PHARMACY OR MEDICINE STORAGE ROOM
HEALTH CENTERS DISPENSE BASIC MEDICATIONS AND NEED A SECURE, ORGANIZED
STORAGE AREA. IT MUST HAVE SHELVES FOR INVENTORY, CONTROLLED ACCESS, AND
PROPER VENTILATION TO KEEP DRUGS IN GOOD CONDITION.
6. TOILET AND WASH AREA
ACCESSIBLE TOILET FACILITIES FOR BOTH PATIENTS AND STAFF ARE ESSENTIAL. THE
TOILET SHOULD BE GENDER-INCLUSIVE OR PROVIDE SEPARATE MALE AND FEMALE
FACILITIES, AND INCLUDE A HANDWASHING SINK WITH SOAP.
5. PHARMACY OR MEDICINE STORAGE ROOM
HEALTH CENTERS DISPENSE BASIC MEDICATIONS AND NEED A SECURE, ORGANIZED STORAGE
AREA. IT MUST HAVE SHELVES FOR INVENTORY, CONTROLLED ACCESS, AND PROPER
VENTILATION TO KEEP DRUGS IN GOOD CONDITION.
6. TOILET AND WASH AREA
ACCESSIBLE TOILET FACILITIES FOR BOTH PATIENTS AND STAFF ARE ESSENTIAL. THE TOILET
SHOULD BE GENDER-INCLUSIVE OR PROVIDE SEPARATE MALE AND FEMALE FACILITIES, AND
INCLUDE A HANDWASHING SINK WITH SOAP.
7. RECORDS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREA
A SMALL OFFICE OR DESK SPACE FOR FILING PATIENT RECORDS, SCHEDULING VISITS, AND
PERFORMING CLERICAL WORK. THIS AREA MUST BE SECURE TO PROTECT PATIENT PRIVACY.
8. MULTIPURPOSE OR HEALTH EDUCATION AREA (OPTIONAL)
SOME CENTERS INCLUDE A SPACE FOR HEALTH TALKS, COMMUNITY TRAINING, OR SEMINARS.
IT CAN BE FLEXIBLE AND USED FOR MEETINGS, BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUPS, OR
EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATION.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR A HEALTH CENTER
ACCESSIBILITY IS A TOP PRIORITY IN DESIGNING A HEALTH CENTER. THE BUILDING MUST BE EASY
TO REACH BY FOOT, TRICYCLE, OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORT, ESPECIALLY SINCE MANY USERS ARE
ELDERLY, PREGNANT WOMEN, OR PARENTS WITH SMALL CHILDREN. THE ENTRANCE SHOULD HAVE
RAMPS, HANDRAILS, AND WIDE DOORWAYS TO ACCOMMODATE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, IN
COMPLIANCE WITH BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 344 (ACCESSIBILITY LAW). SIGNAGE SHOULD ALSO BE
CLEAR AND READABLE FOR ALL LITERACY LEVELS.
FUNCTIONALITY AND SPACE PLANNING MUST SUPPORT THE FLOW OF PATIENTS AND STAFF.
THE LAYOUT SHOULD ALLOW SMOOTH MOVEMENT FROM THE WAITING AREA TO
CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT ROOMS, WITH SEPARATE ZONES FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
FUNCTIONS. THIS HELPS REDUCE CONGESTION AND ENSURES PRIVACY DURING MEDICAL
CONSULTATIONS. ESSENTIAL ROOMS LIKE THE CONSULTATION AREA, TREATMENT ROOM, AND
PHARMACY SHOULD BE POSITIONED TO ALLOW QUICK ACCESS, ESPECIALLY IN
EMERGENCIES.
VENTILATION AND NATURAL LIGHTING ARE VITAL FOR HEALTH AND COMFORT. SINCE
MANY HEALTH CENTERS OPERATE IN AREAS WITH LIMITED AIR CONDITIONING, PASSIVE
DESIGN STRATEGIES LIKE CROSS-VENTILATION, OPERABLE WINDOWS, AND SHADED
OPENINGS SHOULD BE USED. NATURAL LIGHT REDUCES ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND
CREATES A MORE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR PATIENT
WELL-BEING.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION SHOULD BE INTEGRATED INTO EVERY PART OF THE DESIGN. ALL
MEDICAL AND UTILITY SPACES MUST BE EASY TO CLEAN, WITH SMOOTH, NON-SLIP FLOORS, SEALED
WALL FINISHES, AND PROPER DRAINAGE. SINKS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TREATMENT ROOMS AND
NEAR TOILETS TO PROMOTE HAND HYGIENE. STORAGE FOR MEDICAL WASTE AND A PROPER
DISPOSAL SYSTEM MUST ALSO BE INCLUDED TO COMPLY WITH HEALTH REGULATIONS.
SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE IMPORTANT, BOTH FOR PATIENTS AND FOR STORING MEDICAL
SUPPLIES. THE FACILITY SHOULD HAVE SECURE ENTRY POINTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PHARMACY
AND RECORDS AREA, AND INCLUDE FIRE EXITS, ALARMS, AND BASIC EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING AND PERIMETER FENCING ALSO HELP DETER THEFT OR VANDALISM.
FLEXIBILITY AND FUTURE EXPANSION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. HEALTH NEEDS EVOLVE, AND
SPACES MAY NEED TO ACCOMMODATE VACCINATION DRIVES, MEDICAL MISSIONS, OR INCREASED
PATIENT VOLUME. DESIGNING MODULAR OR MULTI-USE ROOMS CAN HELP ADAPT TO THESE
CHANGES WITHOUT MAJOR RENOVATION.
REFERENCES:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. (2017). MANUAL OF STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY CARE
FACILITIES. MANILA, PHILIPPINES: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – HEALTH FACILITY
DEVELOPMENT BUREAU.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. (2011). BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS’ PRIMER. MANILA,
PHILIPPINES: DOH.
