House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a series of bills aimed at producing more doctors to strengthen the country’s public healthcare system.
Libanan urged Malacañang to prioritize at least nine House bills that propose the establishment of new colleges of medicine in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
“We must democratize and widen student access to state-subsidized medical schooling so that the country can produce a greater number of Doctor of Medicine graduates in the years ahead,” Libanan said in a statement on Sunday.
He emphasized that the prohibitive cost of medical education in private institutions is a significant barrier to producing enough new doctors, underscoring the need for more medical colleges in SUCs, especially in the provinces.
“If we want to assure Filipinos access to quality healthcare, we need a constant supply of new doctors to replace those retiring or migrating overseas,” Libanan added.
Though a lawyer by profession, Libanan also holds a degree in medical technology.
He is the author of House Bill No. 9872, which seeks to create a new college of medicine at the Eastern Samar State University in Borongan City.
Libanan, who hails from Eastern Samar, previously served as the province’s lone district representative in Congress for nine years and now represents the 4Ps party-list.
In addition to Libanan’s proposal, eight other House bills seek to establish medical schools in the following SUCs:
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Quezon City
- University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City
- Samar State University in Catbalogan City
- Aklan State University in Ibajay, Aklan
- Mindanao State University in General Santos City
- North Eastern Mindanao State University in Tandag, Surigao del Sur
- Bukidnon State University in Malaybalay City
- Sultan Kudarat State University in Tacurong City
The Department of Health has reported the country’s doctor-to-population ratio at only 3.6 doctors per 10,000 people.
The World Health Organization recommends an ideal ratio of 10 doctors for every 10,000 people, or one doctor per 1,000 individuals.
Libanan stressed that creating more medical schools in SUCs would not only address the shortage of doctors but also help ensure that healthcare becomes more accessible to Filipinos across the country.
