The Department of Health (DOH) has intensified its “Doctors to the Barrios” (DTTB) program with the deployment of 290 physicians to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) nationwide, the largest cohort since the program’s inception.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Thursday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the deployment aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to ensure that no municipality in the country remains without a doctor.

“Ang pinipili naming lugar ay iyong mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, so ito iyong mga malalayong lugar na hindi talaga pumupunta ang mga doktor (We are prioritizing geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, remote communities where medical doctors are rarely, if ever, present),” Herbosa said, noting that priority is given to coastal villages, mountainous areas, and fifth- to sixth-class municipalities.

The 290 doctors, many of whom are scholars of the DOH and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), will serve a three-year assignment focusing on primary healthcare, nutrition, and maternal care.

Herbosa emphasized that the program has already shown significant improvements in national health outcomes.

“Maganda ang health outcomes ‘no. Napapababa natin iyong incidence ng malnutrition. Dati po 29 percent ng mga kabataan may brain stunting, itong latest nasa 22.4 na lang, so, bumaba po ‘no. Ganundin iyong ating maternal deaths (Health outcomes are improving as the incidence of malnutrition continues to decline. From a previous rate of 29 percent, childhood stunting has dropped to 22.4 percent based on the latest figures. A similar downward trend has also been observed in maternal mortality rates),” he said.

To support the transition, the DOH provides a comprehensive compensation package through the National Health Workforce Support System, covering salaries, equipment, and accommodation.

The agency also offers professional growth opportunities, including scholarships for master’s degrees in Public Health Administration at premier institutions like the University of the Philippines, Ateneo, and the Development Academy of the Philippines.

“So, palawak nang palawak iyong mga opportunity at mga tinatawag na incentive para mag-stay sila sa programang ito (Opportunities and incentives are being continuously expanded to ensure that participants remain committed to the program),” Herbosa added.

He expressed hope that after their three-year stint, the doctors would be encouraged by local government units to serve as permanent municipal health officers. (PNA)