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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Doctor of Medicine programs approved for 5 state universities

Doctor of Medicine programs approved for 5 state universities

Published Jun 17, 2026 09:45 pm

At A Glance

  • In line with the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, CHED said the expansion of medical programs in state-funded institutions will allow more students to pursue medical education in their respective regions and strengthen the country's health workforce, particularly in underserved areas.
Unsplash photo
Unsplash photo
To expand access to medical education and address the shortage of physicians, the Commission on Higher Education (Commission on Higher Education) has approved five state universities to open Doctor of Medicine programs starting academic year (AY) 2026–2027.
The approved institutions are:
* Visayas State University (Region VIII)
* Eastern Samar State University (Region VIII)
* University of Eastern Philippines (Region VIII)
* Benguet State University (Cordillera Administrative Region)
* Cotabato State University – Cotabato Regional Medical Center School of Medicine (Region XII)
The commission noted that Benguet State University is the first state university in the Cordillera Administrative Region to offer a Doctor of Medicine program.
CHED said the state colleges and universities were evaluated by its Office of Programs and Standards Development and the Technical Panel for Medicine and were found compliant with requirements under CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, series of 2016, which sets the policies, standards, and guidelines for the Doctor of Medicine program.
The approval covers the opening of the first- and second-year levels of the programs beginning AY 2026–2027.
In line with the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, CHED said the expansion of medical programs in state-funded institutions will allow more students to pursue medical education in their respective regions and strengthen the country’s health workforce, particularly in underserved areas.

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CHED DOCTOR OF MEDICINE BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY
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