MANILA, Philippines – Two friends have come in for a visit from very successful medical practice in the US in the past month. When asked what went on in their minds when they made their choice to practice abroad in their mid-twenties, one said, “The opportunities for doctors promised big returns and the lure of America was tempting.” Another, in retrospect, said, “Sometimes, one makes the right decisions for the wrong reasons.”
The fork in the road appears for many a fresh medical board passer in the Philippines with the prospect of a high-income medical practice abroad; for some, the doubts vanish when the opportunity to work in the native land pinches their young and ideal souls.
This clarity of purpose for young doctors to serve in the Philippines was demonstrated at the recent luncheon to honor 100 scholars of Bagong Doktor Para Sa Bayan (BDB) of the First Gentleman Foundation Inc. (FGFI). First Gentleman Mike Arroyo wanted to be a doctor as a young man but dutifully became a lawyer in obedience to his father. Inspired by Dr. Juan Flavier, his dream became a reality when he launched the Bagong Doktor project in 2006 instead of celebrating his 60th birthday. Young patriotic doctors, after their medical scholarship from FGFI, will provide better health care to underserved localities. The poor but deserving medical students from the University of the Philippines (UP), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Western Visayas State University (WVSU) will likewise achieve their dreams of becoming doctors and serving doctor-less poor areas.
FGFI president Juris Umali-Soliman recounted the experiences of these young barrio doctors, which included a romance that led to a beach wedding prepared by the barrio folks, an extension of service by doctors which has “proven that barrio doctors are here to stay,” and people “trusting them with their lives.”
As 38 new medical scholars (21 from PLM, 12 from UP, and five from WVSU), this new batch signed a memorandum of undertaking to serve two years after passing the medical board in underserved communities in the country.
This is where the fork in the road will take them: to similar realities and character-building experiences as those who have gone before them. Unlike their contemporaries who have chosen or will choose the path of flight from the country, these young men and women will discover the joys and sorrows of a less valued but nontheless heroic choice.
At the last get-together at Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace, Arroyo announced to the 100 medical scholars and doctors, their parents, and officials of DOH, PGH, UP, PLM and UWVSU, that 50 more scholars will be added to the list of Bagong Doktor project by 2010.