Herbosa urges new doctors to 'do public health'

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Saturday urged new Filipino physicians to be an ally in government service at the Department of Health. 

In his congratulatory message, Herbosa encouraged those who recently passed the 2024 Physicians Licensure Examinations to ‘do public health.’

“Join us in government service at DOH. Let us do public health, health systems strengthening, health policy, and health financing. Or choose to be a DOH Doctor to the Barrios (DTTB),” he said.  

He mentioned that DOH hospitals also have residency programs and specializations, such as Family and Community Medicine, highlighting that these doctors save lives in BUCAS centers, mobile primary care clinics, and the PuroKalusugan program. 

“Help us build a health system Filipinos truly deserve! Serve the people! Let us build and provide safe, affordable, and accessible healthcare for our people, dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga!” Herbosa added. 

A total of 3,845 out of 6,600 individuals passed the physician licensure examination this October, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Davao Medical School Foundation's Isaac Edron Orig topped the exam with a rating of 89.33%, followed by Rolter Lorenz Lee of the University of Santo Tomas (89.25%) and Jerickson Rodney Cua of the University of the Philippines Manila (89.17%).

Nijell Potencioso of Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) placed fourth (89.08%), while UST's Kiel Christian Alday landed fifth (88.83%).

—VAL, GMA Integrated News