Cavite State University will offer a free medical degree program, joining 19 other state universities and colleges across the Philippines in providing tuition-free medical education.

The initiative is part of the “Doktor para sa Bayan Act” (Doctor for the Nation Act), championed by Senator Joel Villanueva. This legislation aims to address the shortage of physicians in the country by removing financial barriers to medical education.

Cavite State University becomes the first state university in Cavite province to offer a medical program under this act. The move is expected to significantly increase access to medical education for aspiring doctors in the region.

The free medical program is set to begin in the upcoming academic year, with details on admission requirements and the application process to be announced soon.

Education officials hope this initiative will help alleviate the physician shortage in rural areas and improve healthcare access across the Philippines.

Senator Villanueva, in a statement, expressed optimism about the program’s potential impact: “This is a crucial step towards ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their economic background, has the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine and serve their communities.”

The Department of Health reports that the Philippines currently has a ratio of one doctor per 33,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one doctor per 1,000 individuals.

Authorities expect the free medical education program to produce a new generation of doctors committed to serving in underserved areas of the country.