PALO, Leyte — The Regional Development Council VIII (RDC VIII) backed the establishment of a Doctor of Medicine Program at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) during its 2nd Quarter Meeting on June 26.
Once opened, the program will help address the critical shortage of medical professionals in Eastern Visayas.
Based on the Department of Health (DOH), only 74 percent of local government units in Eastern Samar comply with the DOH standard for doctor-to-population ratio of 1:20,000.
In addition, 50 percent of doctors occupying Municipal Health Officer positions in the province are expected to retire within the next three years.
The RDC VIII’s support complements House Bill No. 9872, entitled “An Act Establishing a College of Medicine in the Eastern Samar State University in the City of Borongan, Province of Eastern Samar, to be Known as the ‘Eastern Samar State University College of Medicine,’ and Appropriating Funds Therefor.”
The bill, filed by House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan, is already at the committee level in the 19th Congress.
The proposed Doctor of Medicine Program aligns with the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023-2028’s strategy to strengthen healthcare systems by increasing the number of medical professionals.
If realized, the program will significantly help improve access to healthcare and bolster the regional medical workforce for years to come.
(KACO/KDA, NEDA/PIA VIII)
