With only few takers
MAASIN CITY – Officials of Southern Leyte are calling those who are qualified to take advantage of a scholarship program it is offering for those who want to become doctors.
For some reasons, only few are taking advantage of the medical scholarship program which was introduced by former governor and now congressman, Roger Mercado.
“We need more applicants for this program to address the lack of doctors in our hospitals,” Mercado said.
At present, only 20 students have availed of the program of the provincial government, Governor Christopherson Yap said in a separate interview.
“Having enough doctors in the province would allow our poor constituents to have better access to medical and hospital services. Like education, taking care of the health aspect our constituents is very important for our province to grown,” the governor said.
Aside from tuition, matriculation and laboratory fees, those who will be accepted of the scholarship grant also receives free board and lodging, books, uniform, and transportation allowance.
The program was conceptualized by the provincial government under then governor Mercado after the province faced a problem on lack of doctors serving the provincial run-hospitals spread on its seven towns and in Maasin City.
Since it was implemented in 2014, the program had produced two doctors who are now serving at the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital.
“The only requirements needed for them to be accepted in the program is to finish the pre-medical school course and be accepted in a medical school,” Rep. Mercado said.
The applicants must also send their letter of intent to the Southern Leyte Board of Medical Scholarship Program.
Mercado added that those who will become doctors after the program will have to serve five years to any of the hospitals under the provincial government. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
