A new state medical school has been approved by the Commission on Higher Education in the Eastern Visayas region. The Samar State University (SSU) has been given the green light to operate a Doctor of Medicine program, making it the first of its kind in Samar.
This decision marks the 20th medical program aimed at underprivileged students to be approved by CHED. According to CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera, this expansion of medical education in Samar will help implement Republic Act No. 11509, also known as the Doktor Para sa Bayan law, which aims to provide opportunities for deserving students to become doctors in underserved areas.
The establishment of the Doctor of Medicine program at SSU is seen as a significant milestone by Marilyn Cardoso, the university’s president. RA 11509, signed in 2021, sets guidelines for the establishment of a Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) program for students in regions where no state university offers a medical course.
Currently, there are about 2,600 scholars enrolled in private and public medical schools under the Doktor Para sa Bayan law, who will be required to practice in underserved areas upon graduation. A study conducted in 2019 by the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative Studies highlighted the shortage of doctors in the country and the need for more accessible medical education programs.
The high cost of medical education, which can range from P44,000 to around P300,000 per year, has contributed to the limited number of doctors graduating annually in the country. The approval of SSU’s Doctor of Medicine program is seen as a step towards addressing this issue and providing more opportunities for aspiring medical professionals in the region.
