PH has more than enough doctors–Ona

By: Niña P. Calleja - 11 years ago

Health Secretary Enrique Ona. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Cities are more attractive to doctors than rural communities causing a “maldistribution” of physicians in the country, according to Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

Ona disputed the Philippine Medical Association’s claim that there was a shortage of doctors this year.

“The problem really is the maldistribution of physicians and the lack of incentives (for doctors serving rural communities),” Ona told a media forum at the Manila Hotel on Friday.

The PMA earlier warned against a shortage of doctors which it said could reach close to 1 million if the Philippine population hits 100 million during the last two quarters of 2014.

PMA president Leo Olarte based this estimate on the ideal of one doctor per 100 population. The PMA only has 70,000 active members at present.

But Ona said the country has “more than enough” doctors, with 30 medical schools producing 4,500 physicians every year. He said the passing rate in the medical board exam last year was 74 percent.

Lack of equipment

“Let’s say at least 10 percent of doctors currently practicing are dying per year. We have enough doctors and medical schools. As a matter of fact, as a country we should not be afraid because that is not our problem,” Ona said.

The health secretary explained that in the DOH program that sends doctors to rural municipalities, the doctors had to be paid P54,000 to P60,000 a month.

However, in some fourth- and fifth-class municipalities, doctors are earning as low as P25,000 a month, he said.

“Now tell me, if that is how much we pay our doctors, do you think they will still stay?” Ona said, noting that a doctor stays in a municipality an average of two to three years.

Another problem is the lack of equipment in the health centers in the rural areas, Ona said.

“The problem is how to keep the doctors there. They won’t be happy treating people with just stethoscope and syringe available at the health centers. Our doctors will not stay longer,” he said.