The Commission on Human Rights expresses its full support to the proposed measure granting scholarship for aspiring doctors. The Senate Bill 1520 or “Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act” and the its counterpart in the lower house, House Bill 6756 or the “Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program Act” shall help address the shortage of doctors in our country towards contributing to the improvement of overall health status of Filipinos.

The current health crisis brought by the pandemic has revealed the shortage of medical personnel in the Philippines. It also brought to attention another lingering problem—the uneven distribution of health workforce. Medical workers and hospitals are concentrated in urban areas, which greatly disadvantages the rural communities. Through the proposed measure, we can expect more doctors to serve their own community and contribute to the improvement of health status particularly in rural and remote areas.

Investing in the education of future doctors is essential in ensuring the right to health of all Filipinos not only during a period of pandemic but in guaranteeing universal access to health care. With this measure, we are hopeful that vulnerable sectors will have equal access to quality health services within their community.

Ensuring the highest possible standard of health is among the primary state obligations. Doctors are at the heart of the efforts to fulfil the right to health of all. In the long view, there is a need to ensure that medical graduates will stay for good in the country by providing commensurate compensation, sufficient employment opportunities, quality health facilities, and other essential support. Allocating sufficient budget and investment for healthcare and medical practitioners shall redound to the health of all Filipinos and will prove beneficial in the long term development of our nation.