BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) – To address the insufficient number of medical doctors in public hospitals, the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya has launched a medical scholarship and return service program to help poor but deserving students pursuing medical courses in the province.
Governor Jose Gambito said the scholarship program dubbed ‘Doktor ti Umili’ aims to develop a pool of medical professionals to attend to the healthcare needs of the locals.
“This program will not only address the shortage of doctors in Nueva Vizcaya but also alleviate the financial burden faced by families supporting their children pursuing medical courses,” he said.
The scholarship program was supported by an ordinance by Board Members Patricio Dumlao, Jr. and Elma Pinao-an Lejao.
Dumlao said the program will subsidize the tuition and allowance of qualified scholars.
He also said the ordinance aims to address the vacancies for physicians needed to fulfill the manpower requirements of provincial government-managed hospitals due to the shortage of doctors.
A grantee of the Nueva Vizcaya Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program receives financial assistance from the provincial local government. ( Photo Courtesy of PLGU NV )
“The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of our healthcare providers. The scholarship program will help bridge this gap and further improve the delivery of basic medical services to all Novo Vizcayanos,” Dumlao said.
Through the program, a scholar will receive student financial assistance, which includes tuition fees, other school fees, allowance for prescribed books, supplies and equipment, clothing or uniform allowance, internship fees, and licensure fees.
The PLGU has tapped PLT College Inc., the only school in Nueva Vizcaya that offers a medical course as its partner institution for the medical scholarship grant.
To qualify for the program, an applicant must be a Filipino citizen and a resident of Nueva Vizcaya. The applicant must also be a graduate of an appropriate undergraduate program identified as a prerequisite for a Doctor of Medicine degree and have passed the National Medical Admission Test. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)
