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Suppose you are a Filipino who wants to have a meaningful career in medicine or midwifery but can’t afford one. In that case, you’re in luck because the Department of Health (DOH) offers scholarships for Philippine medical students. Because financial aid is available, you can be a doctor someday and not settle for any job.
Taking up medicine requires a lot of time and funds, and students not born into wealthy families usually take up extra jobs to make ends meet. The DOH Scholarship realized this takes time from studying well and creating innovations, so it offered the scholarship.
The DOH Scholarship is the government body tasked to ensure that every Pinoy gains access to quality health care. Its medical scholarship is created to increase the quality and quantity of medical personnel in the country’s workforce.
DOH Scholarship Inclusions
The program is comprehensive enough to offer a complete education to those interested in a medical degree. This means:
- Four years of medical education
- Summer immersion programs
- A year of internship after graduation
As you can imagine, this means the student won’t have to worry about anything else other than studying.
Student Responsibilities
Of course, the DOH expects something in return for their financial help. The health organization requires their scholars to work for two years in public service for every year that they were a scholar. The students will sign a service agreement for this.
Prioritized Applicants
Like most projects, DOH’s budget is limited, and they can’t accommodate everyone who wants to apply. They will prioritize certain people who need the most help:
- Applicants from low-income families
- Those who are from areas that are disadvantaged and isolated
- Residents of the poorest municipalities and cities
- Those belonging to the minority sector or indigenous communities
- Active military personnel dependents
- Dependents of police or soldiers who were killed while on duty
- Calamity victims
Since DOH wants to bring more workers to the communities, they will focus on these:
- Barangay health workers
- Traditional birth assistants or midwives
Participating Universities
Because DOH Scholarship is a government organization, they are partnered with state universities. The scholarship is provided to students of these specific schools:
- Cagayan State University
- Mindanao State University
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
- University of the Philippines Manila
- West Visayas State University
DOH Scholarship Requirements
You can apply for this scholarship if you meet these requirements:
- A natural-born citizen of the Philippines
- Has an excellent moral character and no record of moral turpitude or crime
- Fulfilled admission requirements for both the Department of Health and the school
- Does not have other scholarship grants or return service obligations
- A holder of a Bachelor’s Degree given by a recognized educational institution
- Have complied with all academic requirements for the post-grad course
- Has at least a 2.50 General Weighted Average (GWA) or equivalent rating
- Gained a score of 45 or higher in the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT)
- Must have no failed marks in the undergraduate course
- Must lack a record of dropping from a medical school
- Must not have been previously denied being admitted to the school
- Must have passed the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Must pass an interview
DOH Scholarship: What Scholars Would Receive
Successful DOH Scholarship applicants would get:
- Funds for tuition, laboratory, and other fees
- A living subsidy, lodging, and transportation allowances for every month spent studying.
- A budget for books, uniforms, supplies, and miscellaneous requirements given per semester.
- Annual medical insurance paid to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC).
How to Apply for the DOH Scholarship Medical Student Program?
Aspirants must apply to any of the partner schools mentioned above. When admitted, they may fill up the scholarship form and have themselves evaluated by the DOH. The school can assist them with this.
Why DOH Scholarship Is Important to the Philippines
DOH scholarship program for medical students brings more healthcare workers into the provinces. Having physicians in the rural community will assure Filipinos that they can live well there. They won’t need to travel so far, which also solves the problem of overcrowding in the cities. It’s a win-win solution for everyone, so good luck with your application!
Source: Department of Health, Philippines
