HOUSE Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan is advocating for the expansion of medical programs in the country’s state universities and colleges to address the shortage of doctors.

“Congress must empower highly advanced SUCs, particularly those in rural areas, to establish medical schools where tuition fees are subsidized by the state,” said Libanan.

“Only a minority of Filipino families can afford the high costs of private medical schools, leading to an insufficient number of doctors in the country,” he emphasized.

Libanan’s call comes in support of his bill aimed at establishing the Eastern Samar State University College of Medicine.

According to the Department of Health, the doctor-to-population ratio in the country stands at approximately 3.6 doctors for every 10,000 people.

Currently, only seven SUCs offer medical programs in the country namely: Mariano Marcos State University, University of Northern Philippines, Cagayan State University, Bicol University, West Visayas State University, University of the Philippines, and Mindanao State University.