CCA review program can solve Philippines nurse shortage – PSAC

MANILA, Philippines — Measures to enhance the Philippines’ healthcare infrastructure and workforce were discussed during President Marcos’ meeting with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) last Wednesday at Malacañang.

During the meeting, PSAC health care sector lead Paolo Borromeo said the first batch of clinical care associates (CCAs) composed of 457 nursing graduates has been matched to seven higher educational institutions for board reviews.

“The CCA program… is our attempt to help the thousands of ‘underboard nurses,’ people who have graduated from nursing degree, but for one reason or another, they did not pass the test during their time,” Borromeo, also the president and CEO of the Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., said.

The CCAs will be enrolled in a review program so they can take the examination in November. Recruitment is ongoing for the second batch of CCAs for the May 2025 board examinations.