House okays Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program Act
With 245 affirmative votes and no negative vote, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading on Monday the “Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program Act” that will extend medical education scholarship to deserving students in state universities and colleges.
A consolidation of 19 legislative proposals, House Bill 6756 aims to address the shortage of medical practitioners in the country that was made even obvious amid the current COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the whole world.
Authors of the bill include Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (CDC, Cagayan de Oro City); Joel Mayo Almario (PDP-Laban, Davao Oriental); Eric Olivarez (PDP-Laban, Paranaque City); John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto (NPC, Manila); Eric Go Yap (ACT CIS Partylist) and Paolo Duterte (HNP, Davao City).
Rodriguez said the bill will address the lack of doctors in the country, especially in rural areas.
“It will open the opportunity for poor but deserving students to pursue a degree in medicine and serve their communities in the countryside,” he said.
Under the bill, a Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program will be established in SUCs or in higher education institutions where there are no SUC’s offering a medical course.
At least one scholar from every municipality in the country will be entitled to the scholarship.
The financial assistance for Filipino students who want to pursue a degree in medicine will cover free tuition and other school fees; allowances for prescribed books, supplies and equipment, clothing or uniform , allowance for dormitory and transportation, internship fee, medical board review and annual medical insurance.
In return, the scholar shall undertake a mandatory service in a government hospital or any local health office in the student’s hometown for a period equivalent to at last four years for those who have availed of a four year program and seven years to those who have availed of five year scholarship program.
A scholar who refuses to comply with the mandatory return service shall be made to pay twice the full cost of scholarship, including other benefits and expenses incurred by the government for the student’s training.
In case no payment is made, the Professional Regulation Commission will deny renewal of the physician’s license.