The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recently approved the application for government authority to operate the Doctor of Medicine program at the Samar Island Institute of Medicine (SIIM) of Samar State University (SSU), making medical education more accessible to students in Eastern Visayas. This development is in line with the implementation of Republic Act No. 11509, also known as the Doktor Para sa Bayan law, which aims to address the shortage of doctors in underserved areas by providing scholarships to deserving students.
According to CHED Secretary Prospero de Vera, the expansion of medical education in Samar will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Doktor Para sa Bayan law. He emphasized the need for a state college or university in Eastern Visayas where economically disadvantaged students can pursue their dream of becoming doctors. The approval of SIIM’s Doctor of Medicine program will help fulfill this need and provide opportunities for aspiring doctors in the region.
Prior to this approval, the UP School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte offered a medical program using a ladderized system. However, this program only catered to scholars of local governments and did not allow direct enrollment of students. The SIIM’s Doctor of Medicine program, on the other hand, will be open to all eligible students, including those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
SSU President Marilyn Cardoso expressed her pride and gratitude for the approval of the Doctor of Medicine program. She sees this as a significant milestone for the university and the entire Island of Samar. President Cardoso believes that the program will not only expand the university’s academic offerings but also transform the healthcare landscape in Samar and beyond. The program represents SSU’s commitment to providing world-class medical training and care to the people of Samar.
Governor Sharee Ann Tan of Samar Province also expressed her enthusiasm for the opening of the Samar Island Institute of Medicine. She emphasized the importance of having a medical institution that is accessible to aspiring doctors in Samar. Governor Tan believes that the province has the potential to produce home-grown doctors and specialists who will serve their fellow Samarnons with compassion and dedication.
Representative Michael Tan, the Second District of Samar, also congratulated SSU on this milestone. He sees the establishment of a medical institute in the province as a dream come true for the people of Samar. Representative Tan hopes that aspiring doctors will choose SIIM and contribute to the healthcare needs of the Samarnon community.
With the approval of the Samar Island Institute of Medicine, CHED has now authorized twenty medical programs in public universities across the country. Prior to the Doktor Para sa Bayan law, there were only eight state universities and colleges (SUCs) with medical schools, with five in Luzon, two in the Visayas, and one in Mindanao. As a flagship program of the Marcos administration, there are now eight in Luzon, five in the Visayas, and seven in Mindanao. Currently, a total of 2,689 economically disadvantaged students are benefiting from scholarships in public and private-partner medical schools under the Doktor Para sa Bayan law. Upon graduation, these students will fulfill a return service agreement and practice in underserved areas, ensuring that quality healthcare reaches those who need it the most.
In conclusion, the approval of the Doctor of Medicine program at the Samar Island Institute of Medicine is a significant step towards making medical education more accessible in Eastern Visayas. This development aligns with the goals of the Doktor Para sa Bayan law, which aims to increase the number of doctors serving in underserved areas. By providing scholarships to deserving students, the law ensures that healthcare reaches those who need it the most, ultimately improving the overall healthcare landscape in the region.
