SENATOR Bam Aquino is seeking the establishment of a College of Medicine at Eastern Samar State University in Borongan City to help address the shortage of doctors and improve healthcare services in the province and the wider Eastern Visayas region.

Under Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 2154, Eastern Samar continues to face healthcare challenges due to the limited number of medical professionals serving its communities.

The shortage of physicians, along with the province’s distance from major medical centers, has made timely and adequate healthcare services difficult to access for many residents.

The proposed College of Medicine will offer a Doctor of Medicine program aimed at producing competent and community-oriented physicians who can serve Eastern Samar and neighboring provinces.

Aquino said establishing a local medical school would provide aspiring doctors from the province with greater opportunities while encouraging graduates to train and eventually practice in underserved communities.

The measure also seeks to strengthen medical research, extension services, and other initiatives focused on addressing local public health concerns.

If enacted, the bill would authorize the creation of the medical college at ESSU and provide the necessary funding for its establishment and operations.

Aquino said the proposal aims to improve access to healthcare, increase the number of medical professionals in Eastern Samar, and help build a stronger healthcare system in Eastern Visayas.