ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes filed a measure that seeks to institutionalize the scholarship and return service program for nursing students and address the lack of nurses in the country.

House Bill 6631 or the proposed Nursing Scholarship and Return Service Program Act aims to provide scholarships to deserving students in state universities and colleges or private higher education institutions taking up nursing.

“This is a win-win solution. Our proposed scholarship scheme will definitely help those who wish to take up nursing in college and pursue it as a profession. The return service program, meanwhile, will develop our healthcare human resource to meet the needs of our citizens and ensure the adequacy of registered nurses in the country,” Reyes said.

“The low number of active registered nurses in the country is also a cause for alarm. This is another issue that we need to address aside from the exodus of our nurses abroad,” he added.

The lawmaker cited data from the Professional Regulatory Commission that as of March 24, 2023, only 53.55 percent of the 951,105 registered nurses in the country are active.

“The government must ensure that there is an adequate amount of health care workers at any given moment, in any municipality or community in the country. Additionally, the health and welfare of these health care workers must also be a priority,” Reyes said.

Under the bill, a scholar will serve one and a half years for every academic year of scholarship availed, in his or her province or municipality hospital or provider as determined by the local government unit and confirmed by the Department of Health.

The scholarship is not limited to freshman students but can also apply to existing nursing students who wish to avail of the program.

Scholars will have free tuition and school fees, allowance for books and supplies, financial assistance during internships, as well as medical insurance.

“I hope that through this bill we can strike two birds with one stone by giving our aspiring nurses a chance at education and growth paired with regularized and secured positions during their service,” Reyes said.

The measure mandates the DOH to determine the number of nurses for every municipality or province then provide the proper integration of the scholar into the public health and medical service system.

The health department shall also craft a career pathway to enhance the scholar’s competencies and skills.

“We want to make sure that each municipality or province have scholars that will provide service to their own towns, making sure that we have enough nurses evenly placed in all parts of the country,” Reyes said.