DOH Secretary: Philippines lacks 15,000 doctors
13-Oct-16, CNN Philippines
The Philippines is short of 15,000 doctors to be able to adequately meet the health needs of Filipinos each year, the Health Secretary said.
%20CNN%20Philippines.png "DOH Secretary Philippines lacks 15000 doctors (c) CNN Philippines")
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"We're producing only 2,600 a year," Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Rosell-Ubial said.
The Philippines has a ratio of one doctor for every 33,000 persons. The Health Secretary said there's a lack of volunteers willing to go to rural areas. The Doctors to the Barrios program, which sends doctors to far-flung areas, can accommodate 398 doctors. However, 116 posts remain vacant.
"One other thing that we're trying to do is the PhilHealth reimbursement; if you work in a rural area, your reimbursement is higher," said Ubial.