𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐓𝐎 𝟕𝟐 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒
The Cebu Provincial Government has expanded its medical scholarship program from an initial 40 beneficiaries to 72 aspiring doctors, extending support to continuing medical students who lost their previous scholarship coverage.
The announcement was made Monday by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro during the first official day of Cebu Province’s 457th Founding Anniversary celebration, where the Capitol formally welcomed the scholars from the Cebu Normal University–Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (CNU-VSMMC).
“I wish you well in your studies.The Cebu Province has your back,” Gov. Baricuatro told the scholars.
The expanded program now covers 42 first-year, 22 second-year, and eight third-year medical students.
The scholarship stemmed from a tripartite agreement signed in February among the Capitol, CNU and VSMMC to support qualified medical students who were not covered by the Commission on Higher Education’s Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program.
The Province initially committed to funding 40 first-year medical students. However, the Capitol later identified 30 continuing students whose previous scholarship assistance had been discontinued, putting their medical education at risk.
Recognizing the need to keep the students in medical school, the provincial government expanded the program to include them.
𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲
Under the scholarship, every year of financial assistance corresponds to one year of return service. After earning their medical degrees and licenses, scholars will serve in the Province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals.
Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, who oversees the province’s health reforms under the administration of Gov. Baricuatro, said the scholarship reflects the Capitol’s long-term commitment to strengthening Cebu’s healthcare workforce.
“This is Gov. Pam planting seeds for Cebu’s future by investing in people, investing in training, and investing in a healthcare system that will remain strong and responsive during and beyond her time in office,” Catalan said.
“As Cebu celebrates 457 years of history, the Province is not only honoring its past but also preparing the next generation of doctors who will care for Cebuanos in the years ahead,” she added.
Board Member Stanley Caminero, chairperson of the Provincial Board’s committee on health, said the partnership benefits both the scholars and the Province by helping students complete their medical school while building a pool of doctors who can eventually serve in government hospitals and communities.
The expanded scholarship program is part of the provincial government’s efforts to address the shortage of healthcare professionals while creating a sustainable pipeline of doctors for the province’s public health system.
Photos: Arlene S. Chua Solis
Check this also: Govs. Pam, Aumentado Meet Ramon Ang Ahead of SugBohol MOA Signing
