Study Now, Serve Later: Baguio eyes medical aid program to produce more doctors

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Medical students in Baguio City may soon receive financial assistance to pursue their studies under a proposed "Study Now, Pay Later" program that seeks to ease the burden of medical school expenses while helping address the city's shortage of healthcare professionals.

The proposed program aims to make medical education more accessible by providing financial support to qualified students. In return, beneficiaries will be required to render service in public health facilities after graduating and passing the licensure examination.

According to Councilor Edison Bilog, as quoted by a local news outlet, the program is designed to help aspiring doctors overcome the high cost of medical education by covering tuition fees, laboratory expenses, books, and other school-related costs.

“The ‘Study Now, Pay Later’ program for qualified Doctor of Medicine students seeks to help address the high cost of medical education while ensuring return service in public health facilities. The assistance is intended to support the full scope of medical education expenses to enable beneficiaries to complete their studies without financial constraints,” he said.

Bilog explained that beneficiaries would be required to serve in the city's public health facilities or other government-designated health institutions after graduation and passing the licensure examination.

The required service period will be equivalent to the amount of assistance received. Those who fail to fulfill their service obligation will be required to reimburse the financial assistance granted to them.

To qualify, applicants must have been residents of Baguio City for at least three years, possess a bachelor's degree required for admission to medical school, and be enrolled in or accepted by a recognized medical school.

Current medical students may also apply, provided they are not receiving similar full scholarships and pass the city's screening process. Beneficiaries will be monitored throughout the program to ensure the proper use of funds, satisfactory academic performance, and compliance with service obligations.

Addressing the Doctor Shortage

Despite the city's steadily developing medical sector, Baguio continues to face a shortage of doctors and healthcare workers, particularly as patient numbers increase alongside the city's growing population and its role as a regional center for education and healthcare services.

While Baguio attracts medical students from different parts of the Cordillera and other regions of the country, many graduates eventually return to their home provinces or pursue opportunities elsewhere after completing their studies.

As a result, the city does not always retain enough locally serving doctors to meet its healthcare needs, creating gaps in medical staffing despite being a major training ground for future health professionals.

Should the proposed program be approved, city officials hope it will not only make medical education more affordable for deserving students but also help build a sustainable pool of doctors committed to serving Baguio's communities.