Doktor Para sa Bayan Act

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 11509 (Doktor Para sa Bayan Act)

Short Title and Policy Declaration (Sections 1-2)
- The Act shall be known as the "Doktor Para sa Bayan Act".
- It aims to protect the right to health by ensuring availability of doctors, especially in underserved areas.
- It establishes a medical scholarship program to help deserving students pursue medical education in exchange for rendering service in public health facilities.

Establishment of Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program (Section 3)
- The MSRS Program shall be available in state universities/colleges (SUCs) and partner private higher education institutions (PHEIs).
- Applicants from municipalities without government physicians shall be prioritized.

Coverage and Benefits (Section 4)
- The program covers Filipino students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Benefits include: free tuition, allowances for books, supplies, accommodation, transportation, internship fees, medical board review, licensure fees, medical insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Qualification Requirements (Section 5)
- Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines
- Graduate of an undergraduate program prerequisite for Doctor of Medicine, or a direct entrant to the Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) Program
- Passed entrance exams and met admission requirements of the SUC/PHEI
- Obtained the required National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) score

Conditions for Scholarship Grant (Section 6)
- Sign an agreement stating the terms and conditions
- Carry the full load of subjects per semester without underloading
- Finish the program within the prescribed timeframe
- Undertake mandatory internship upon graduation
- Take the board exam within 1 year after internship
- Render return service as provided in Section 8

Disqualifications (Section 7)
- Accepting another scholarship while enjoying benefits under this Act
- Failing to meet academic requirements or complete the course without valid cause
- Failing to pass the Physician Licensure Examination within 5 years after internship
- Committing gross misconduct that damages the institution or community

Mandatory Return Service (Section 8)
- Scholars shall be integrated into the public health system through the DOH upon passing the licensure exam.
- They shall serve in a government health facility in their hometown, home province, or an underserved municipality for 1 year for every scholarship year availed.
- The return service must be rendered within 6 years (4-year program) or 7 years (5-year program) after passing the licensure exam.
- Failure to comply requires repayment of 2 times the full cost of the scholarship.

Harmonization of Scholarship Programs (Section 10)
- All nationally-funded medical scholarship programs shall be harmonized and consolidated under the MSRS Program.

Training and Medical Schools (Sections 11-12)
- The CHED and DOH shall develop programs for continuous training of scholars during return service.
- Each region shall have at least one medical school, with at least one state-operated medical school in each region within 5 years.

Roles and Responsibilities (Sections 13-16)
- The CHED, SUCs, PHEIs, DOH, and LGUs shall have specific roles and responsibilities in implementing the MSRS Program.

Funding and Implementation (Sections 17-21)
- Funding shall be charged against the current appropriations of participating agencies and included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
- The CHED and DOH shall issue implementing rules and regulations within 120 days.

Other Provisions (Sections 22-24)
- The Act has separability and repealing clauses.
- It shall take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspapers.