Fewer Pinoys want to be doctors: DOH

In PH, 7 doctors for every 10,000 Filipinos MANILA - Doctors from the government and the private sector sounded the alarm at a health forum that the country is now facing a health workforce crisis. The Department of Health said there are roughly seven doctors for every 10,000 Filipinos. Ideally, it should be 10-15 doctors for 10,000 Filipinos. Dr. Moses Princesa, municipal health officer of Busuanga, Palawan, said it is no joke handling a town of 14 barangays with more than 20,000 residents with hardly any medical supplies available. "Masakit yung nakikita mong namamatay na lang yung pasyente mo," he said. Here in Metro Manila, Payatas B in Quezon City is facing the same problem. Doctor Elmira Dizon said she is the only government doctor for an estimated 36,000 people. She said she is lucky if medical interns are around to help her very lean staff. "Minsan talaga wala na yung TLC or hindi mo na masyado nakakamusta yung pasyente..." she said. According to the Department of Health, the brain drain in doctors is due to the lack of interest among young people to pursue medicine. That's aside from practicing doctors eventually leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. The DOH said it continues to entice more doctors to serve in the country. "Gusto nga natin yung maraming residency sa family medicine kasi yun ang kailangan," said Health Undersecretary Ted Herbosa. Doctors also agree the Local Government Code needs some revisions for the health sector. Medical services will be effectively delivered to the grassroots level if authority goes back to emdical professionals in the national government instead of mayors and governors in the local level. Report by Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News