Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Sunday, August 4 raised the call for more doctors that would venture into mental, neurological and developmental health to address the growing number of cases in these fields. 

Hontiveros made the call during her keynote address at the commencement exercises of University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine graduates held at UP Diliman.

“While we give utmost regard to our physical health, I urge you to explore going into Mental, Neurological, Developmental subspecialties,” the senator said during her speech. 

“Mental health is just as crucial as physical health, yet it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves,” she stressed.

“Tulungan ninyo kaming basagin ang stigma at bigyan ng pag-asa ang mga tahimik na nagdurusa (Help us break the stigma and give hope to those who are silently suffering),” she said. 

Hontiveros is one of the senators who pushed for the passage into law of the Philippine Mental Health Law, which upholds the protection and promotion of the rights of all Filipinos suffering psychiatric, neurologic and psychosocial health needs. 

At the same time, Hontiveros called for more doctors who would voluntarily serve in remote areas in the Philippines, encouraging the UP medical graduates.

“I encourage you to serve the marginalized, unserved and hard-to-reach communities in poor municipalities,” she said.

“Sana ay handa kayong tumugon sa tawa ng tungkulin. Lagi ninyong tandaan na sa bawat pasyenteng ginagamot ninyo, may mahal sila sa buhay na naghihintay at nagtitiwala sa inyo (Always remember that for each patient that you attend to, they have loved ones who are waiting and putting their trust in you),” the lawmaker said addressing the graduates.