The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted permits to two universities in Luzon to offer a post-graduate degree program for aspiring medical doctors.
In a press release on Thursday, the agency authorized Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union and Bulacan State University (BulSU) to accept enrollees for the Doctor of Medicine program this incoming Academic Year 2024-2025.
DMMMSU, the 21st public university, is also the third to offer the said program in the Ilocos Region. BulSu, meanwhile, is the 22nd among state universities and colleges (SUC) and ‘first state university to offer quality education’ for future medicine students across Central Luzon.
CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera said this will help fully implement the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, which aims to increase the number of doctors across the country through a Medical Scholarship program.
“Now, we can produce more doctors through our top SUCs, who will go to underserved areas specifically in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas or in municipalities without government physicians in need of health personnel,” he said in a statement.
DMMMSU President Jaime Manuel, Jr. welcomed this development for the institution in their eagerness to serve La Union by providing education to future physicians.
“This is the fulfillment of a cherished dream to be of service to the people of La Union and the desire to share with future physicians the best that La Union has been offering in the field of medicine,” he was quoted saying.
La Union Rep. Dante Garcia, for his part, expressed support for the university. He said this will fill the need to provide medical courses for the underprivileged in the province.
BulSu President Teody San Andres also hailed CHED for its decision.
The commission is looking forward to establishing the same for public universities across CARAGA and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
On March 11, CHED granted license to Samar State University in establishing their Doctor of Medicine program, making the said university the 20th to do so. —With Rolando Ng III
