Huge relief for foreign medical graduates

The internationalization of Philippine education and the human resources it produces is a phenomenon that has been there for the longest time. In fact, our national leaders, past and present, have set the thrust and direction towards positioning the country as a center of education and training in this part of the globe.

There was a time in our history when the Philippines was a melting pot of note when it comes to international students completing their education in the best universities in the country and becoming worthy leaders and technocrats in their respective countries.

The recent affirmation of the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), when it declared that a foreign student who has been conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine from a College of Medicine recognized by the Commission is eligible for registration and practice pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Philippine Medical Act of 1959, is another landmark action amplifying cross border mobility and international professional practice.

This move clearly is a step towards cementing further the globalization efforts of the Philippines – closer to achieving the decade’s goal of transforming the country as an educational destination of choice in the Asia-Pacific.

Mobility of professionals globally is once again highlighted as a key pillar in the ever-expanding era of borderless education and sharing of vital human resources among and between nations. In its declaration, the Philippine PRC confirmed what has long been the trend globally with respect to mobility and practice of professions by qualified professionals worldwide.

The country, being a signatory to various multilateral agreements such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), subscribes to the principles of mobility of students and professionals as well as the mutual recognition of qualifications, skills and education. Indeed, with this development, the Philippines is full speed in embracing internationalization as an instrument for national development and a vehicle of shared human resources enhancement.

The task of positioning the country as a major education hub has its challenges as well as rewards. To date, various foreign nationals coming from all over the world study in the Philippines. South Koreans, African nationals, Americans, Nepalese, Japanese and Indians, to name a few, come to study here, owing to the low cost of living (probably the lowest in the whole of Asia); prevalence of English as the language of instruction and commerce; the low cost of tuition and student fees are major considerations, too. Of course, the attraction of many world-class tourist destinations cannot be over-emphasized!

In the field of medical education, the country has its share of world-class medical colleges and universities as well as hospitals – both private and government – where the best possible exposure to clinical practice and internship is offered. Perhaps, due to these circumstances, it is not a wonder that the Philippines has produced a great number of high quality Filipino doctors who have found themselves in enviable positions all over the world, most notably in the North American continent.

Not only that, foreign medical graduates of Philippine medical colleges have excelled too in their respective countries. Thanks to these doctors, their respective country’s health care systems have received a shot in the arm as they continue to provide vital health care services to their people.

As a center of education and training, the Philippines can contribute its share, in its own little way, in producing the human resources in various professions needed to make the world a better and safer place to live in.

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Dr. Sarmiento is the international legal adviser/counsel of the Concerned Philippine Medical School/Colleges.