THE COMMISSION  on Human Rights expressed its support to a measure that seeks to grant scholarships for aspiring medical professionals to help address the shortage of doctors in the country.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said rural areas would benefit from the bill because there are more medical practitioners in urban areas.

“Through the 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,” de Guia said in a statement.

She added that medical workers should be given ample pay to prevent them from leaving.

“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,” the official said.

“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,” she added.

Senate Bill 1520 or ‘Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act’ was recently approved on second reading. Its counterpart in the House of Representatives, the “Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program Act” has been approved on third and final reading.