House passes medical act bill

CEBU, Philippines —  To address the country’s critical shortage of medical practitioners, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 10145, also known as the New Philippine Medical Act, on December 10, 2024.

According to a statement, the Philippines currently faces a shortage of 117,000 doctors, with medical schools producing only around 5,000 graduates annually.

Senator Francis Tolentino highlighted that the country has only 69,000 registered doctors, and less than half are actively practicing, resulting in a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:26,000—far from the World Health Organization’s ideal ratio of 1:1,000.

The New Philippine Medical Act introduces several initiatives to boost the healthcare workforce, including upgrading medical school facilities and curricula to enhance training and education, providing scholarships, grants, and incentives to encourage more students to pursue a career in medicine.

Additionally, it proposes establishing new medical schools in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), with nine proposals already pending.

Another significant highlight of the bill is allowing foreign students who complete their medical education in the Philippines to take the Physician Licensure Examination, provided they meet local requirements and their home country has a “reciprocity agreement” with the Philippines.

“The presence of foreign medical students in medical schools in the country will raise the bar of excellence in medical education, promote universal medical education, and provide additional revenues for the medical schools for facilities improvement and faculty salary increases,” the statement reads.

Dr. David K. Pillai, president of King’s International Medical Academy, expressed optimism, stating that this reform could position the Philippines as a leading hub for medical education in Asia.

Moreover, House Bill No. 10145 responds to the clamor for opening opportunities for medical education to all citizens and foreigners alike, addressing the global need for active medical practitioners, regardless of race, sex, religion, or political persuasion.

The bill now moves to the Senate for approval, expected to usher in a new era in Philippine medical education and strengthen the country’s healthcare system.