DOH Eyes to Deploy Unlicensed Medical Graduates to Help in Fight Against COVID-19
Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III expressed interest to deploy medical graduates to help in the fight against COVID-19.
Recently, the Department of Health Secretary (DOH) Francisco Duque III shows interest in Senator Francis Tolentino’s proposal to allow 1,500 medical graduates to practice their profession and help address the health crisis without a license.
In a report of GMA News, on March 23, Senator Tolentino has suggested to the DOH and the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) to allow them provide medical services even though they are not yet licensure examination passers for new medical course graduates.
“It is a very good recommendation and we are studying the specific provision of the law that we can implement as soon as possible,” Duque told GMA News Online in a text message.
Senator Tolentino cited Section 12 of Republic Act No. 2382 or the Medical Act of 1959 which states that during pandemics or national emergencies, medical students and medical graduates can render service.
“Medical students who have completed the first four years of medical course, graduates of medicine, and registered nurses are allowed to render medical services upon authorization by the Secretary of Health without need of a certificate of registration.” According to the medical act of 1959.
With the number of patients being treated for the onslaught of health crises, many health workers are tired and others are quarantined because of coronavirus exposure.
“Kahit wala pa po tayong imbentaryo, marami na tayong report na nakukuha na marami na pong hospital especially the private hospitals na nagkakaroon na ng exhaustion of their system,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
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