The approval of the medicine program in Northern Samar by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to encourage more students in the province to pursue medical education and improve the delivery of health care services.
The establishment of a College of Medicine at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman town will open the doors for Nortehanons who wished to pursue the medical field but were previously adamant due to the distance of the available schools from their hometown.
"More Northern Samar residents will choose to pursue their medical education in their home province due to the lower cost compared to other regions or countries. The provincial government foresees an increased need for doctors and other healthcare personnel in local hospitals as the demand for health services continues to rise," Ongchuan said in a statement.
On Dec. 28, President Marcos signed into law the bill establishing a College of Medicine at the UEP.
Republic Act 11972, authored by Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza, aims to address the need for more medical education programs and reduce the cost of medical education in the Philippines.
Three other state universities can also proceed to offer medical courses. These are Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte; Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet; and Southern Luzon State University in Quezon province.
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the provincial government strengthened its healthcare program by opening the medical scholarship program. It provides indigent residents with the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine, hence increasing the number of doctors serving in public hospitals in the province.
"By addressing our health human resource requirements and improving our health facilities with necessary infrastructure and equipment, we hope to enhance the delivery of health services to people in the province," Ongchuan added.
Currently, the program has already produced four licensed doctors while supporting the education of other scholars in different medical schools across the country.
Scholars are required to return service to government hospitals in the province upon becoming licensed doctors, depending on the number of years they have availed of the program. (With reports from PNA)
(Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan (PNA file photo)
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