Doctors for Every Juan

A fellow journalist recently shared his experience when he rushed his mother – who had just come home as a repatriated OFW – to a public hospital in Metro Manila. His mother had a liver problem.

They arrived at 10 p.m., waited in the crowded corridors and received medical attention only around midnight. But alas, they were told their case was not a medical emergency.

“The influx of emergency cases was nonstop. Doctors looked visibly exhausted,” said the journalist.

At 2 a.m., they decided to go home but were told they would need to sign a waiver. And that took another three hours to process.

My colleague understood the problem clearly. There’s just not enough doctors to attend to the sick.

True enough, there is a severe doctor shortage in the Philippines, with approximately 7.92 physicians per 10,000 people as of 2025, falling below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 10, according to a study by Ateneo de Manila University.

But bad as it is, patients in the provinces are in an even worse situation, particularly those in underserved and geographically isolated communities.

Which is why I was so happy to learn about St. Luke’s Foundation’s scholarship program for doctors to the barrios.

The Doctors for Every Juan-Tuition-free Scholarship for Community Physicians program is a pioneering initiative of the St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation Inc. in partnership with the St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial.

I learned about this from Dr. Benjamin Campomanes Jr., the head of St. Luke’s Foundation, who was visibly excited talking about the program. I, too, was in awe of such an initiative because I know it would improve the health care environment in far-flung provinces, especially in the southern and northernmost tips of the Philippine archipelago.

With the Doctors for Every Juan program, St. Luke’s Foundation hopes to see more community-oriented physicians serving the barrios by providing scholarships.

It’s no secret that many cannot afford med school because of the high cost of tuition, no matter how much they want to become a doctor.

On the other hand, some who can afford it choose to practice in cities rather than rural areas after becoming doctors to recover the cost of their education.

Changing lives

The program, according to a briefer provided by Dr. Campomanes, will provide full financial support throughout medical school, enabling deserving students with strong academic potential and commitment to community service to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree.

The scholarship package includes 100 percent tuition and other school fees, a monthly living stipend, housing support, clothing allowance, laptop and communication support, two annual round-trip transportation allowances for home visits and coverage of licensure examination review and exam expenses.

In return, scholars commit to serve as Doctors for Every Juan in St. Luke’s Foundation-developed primary care clinics in underserved areas in the Philippines for five years.

“During this service period, they will continue to be supported by the Foundation with competitive salaries and benefits, allowing them to focus on providing quality health care while strengthening community health systems,” according to the briefer.

Through this endeavor, St. Luke’s Foundation said it seeks to contribute meaningfully to the national effort to improve equitable access to health care, strengthen primary care networks and advance the goals of the country’s universal health coverage.

For sure, such a program will change lives – not only those of aspiring doctors but also those of our fellow Filipinos who are living in remote areas and have no easy access to doctors and health care facilities.

The pilot cohort will welcome five scholars beginning this academic year 2026, with plans to scale up the program in the coming years.

FAQs

How does one apply for a scholarship?

Applicants must first apply and be accepted into the Doctor of Medicine program at St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial.

Interested students may then apply for a scholarship to the St. Luke’s Foundation and express their interest in being considered for the program.

What are the selection criteria for the scholarship?

The program is keen on onboarding scholars who demonstrate a strong commitment to serve underserved Filipino communities, exhibit academic excellence and have the potential to succeed in medical training.

Which underserved areas are prioritized for recruitment?

The program encourages applicants from the following provinces: Aurora, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Western Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

I have been to several provinces around the country and many do not have enough medical facilities and doctors. That is how strained our health care system is. Adding to the problem is the lure of working abroad for many of our nurses and doctors because of higher pay.

I see this program filling a gap, which is why I promised Dr. Campomanes I would help spread the word about it. To those interested, you may inquire via email at [email protected].

At the end of the day, however, the program’s success will depend on our future doctors, especially doctors to the barrios.

May they not only heal, but choose to stay where they are needed most.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on X @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.