House OKs medical scholarship bill

The House of Representatives has approved a bill offering scholarships to medical students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) provided they agree to serve in the country for eight years after passing the licensure examination.

Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, who chairs the House committee on health, said on Saturday that the immediate objective of the measure is to help qualified students pursue a degree in medicine.

“The long-term goal is to make more doctors available in the provinces and make quality health care accessible to poor people,” she said.

Aside from free tuition and other school fees, the bill offers allowances for books, dormitory, transportation and cost of living; and internship, medical board review and medical insurance fees.