CHED OKs doctorate programs in 5 state universities

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the severe shortage of medical practitioners, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved doctor of medicine programs in five state universities and colleges (SUCs).

CHED noted that the country’s physician-to-population ratio stands at a critical 7.92 per 10,000 people, falling short of the international minimum standard of 10 per 10,000 recommended by the World Health Organization.

 It has approved the applications of five SUCs to operate the first and second-year levels of their respective doctor of medicine programs, effective Academic Year 2026-2027.

 According to CHED, covered by the doctor of medicine programs were Visayas State University, Eastern Samar State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Benguet State University (BSU)-Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cotabato State University-Cotabato Regional Medical Center School of Medicine.

“This milestone initiative aligns with the government’s broader mandate under the Doktor para sa Bayan Act, aiming to address the shortage of medical doctors in the Philippines by providing accessible, high-quality medical education across various regions – particularly in underserved areas like Samar, Leyte, the Cordilleras, and Central Mindanao,” CHED said.

 It said that BSU is the first SUC in the Cordilleras with a medical program.

 “With these new approvals, the administration has successfully established at least one SUC with a medicine program in every region nationwide, with the exception of the newly created Negros Island Region, which is poised to be the next priority. By expanding medical program offerings in state-funded institutions, CHED ensures that aspiring and deserving doctors from diverse regions can pursue their medical dreams locally, ultimately strengthening the country’s health care system and community-based health service delivery,” CHED added.