CEBU CITY, CEBU – Governor Pamela Baricuatro, in collaboration with Capitol Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, recently met with nursing deans and officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH) to align efforts for the province’s healthcare programs, particularly in nursing affiliations and Related Learning Experiences (RLE) for students.
The meeting, held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, marked a renewed commitment to strengthen the partnership between the Cebu Provincial Government and nursing schools across the province. The initiative aims to provide nursing students with meaningful hands-on clinical exposure while supporting the operational needs of Capitol-run hospitals.
Bridging Education and Public Health
During the discussions, Gov. Baricuatro emphasized the mutual benefits of collaboration. By integrating nursing students into hospital operations through structured RLE programs, hospitals receive additional manpower to assist in patient care, while students gain real-world experience in medical and administrative settings.
“This partnership strengthens healthcare—students learn, hospitals are supported, and people receive better services,” Gov. Baricuatro said.
Dr. Catalan said collaborations help address healthcare gaps, giving hospitals support while nursing students gain skills and experience.
Aligning Standards with CHED and DOH
The meeting also tackled the importance of regulatory alignment with CHED and DOH standards. Officials underscored the need for hospitals to provide safe, structured, and supervised learning environments for students, ensuring that clinical training adheres to national guidelines.
CHED said partnerships boost nursing education, while DOH noted student rotations help ease manpower gaps in hospitals.
Strengthening Local Healthcare Through Education
The cooperation supports Gov. Baricuatro’s healthcare reforms by upgrading hospitals, improving access, and engaging nursing students for timely, quality care.
“This is not just about education; it’s about building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem in Cebu,” Dr. Catalan explained. “Students are not merely observers; they become part of a system that responds to real community needs while learning best practices from experienced medical professionals.”
With rising patient inflow, nursing students’ clinical rotations now play a key role in strengthening provincial healthcare.
Benefits for the Community
For Cebuanos, the strengthened partnership translates to improved health services and faster care delivery. More trained hands in hospitals mean patients are attended to promptly, while students develop the skills to become future leaders in the province’s healthcare sector.
Gov. Baricuatro said the initiative will enhance learning and produce skilled nursing professionals dedicated to serving Cebu.
