New doctors, nurses should work two years in RP - PMA

A group of Filipino medical practitioners is endorsing a bill in Congress that requires new graduates of medicine and nursing courses to serve in Philippine hospitals for at least two years before seeking employment overseas. GMA News Unang Balita reported on Friday that the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) is throwing its support behind the pending piece of legislation, adding that service to the country should be the top priority among the new graduates. In the same report, the Philippine Nursing Association (PNA) echoed the stand of PMA but raised concern that job opportunities for medical professionals in the country might not be enough to accommodate fresh graduates. “There should be jobs [for medical practitioners], but there are none," said Leah Paquiz, PNA president. “The government should create jobs for doctors and Filipino nurses, as well as all medical practitioners," she added. Several days ago, thousands of graduates who passed the nursing board examinations took their oath at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. It has been estimated that at least 3,000 experienced doctors are leaving the country each year for greener pastures abroad. Many of them have shifted to nursing, which is considered an easier route to get employed overseas. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV