At least 12 pediatricians in Samar province will undergo residency training at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center (MCMC) within the next three years which could improve pediatric services in the poverty-stricken province.

On May 16, the provincial government of Samar and the city government of Mandaluyong signed a memorandum of agreement for a scholarship program for residency training of doctors from Samar as part of the local government’s program to invest in human capital.

“This residency program is also open to pediatric doctors from Samar practicing in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. Those who want to avail of the program may signify their interest to the MCMC or to Samar provincial government,” Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said in an interview on Wednesday.

Tan said it is a “good opportunity” for local medical personnel to undergo training in pediatrics considering that health access is one of the major problems in the province.

Unlike in big cities where access to medical facilities is not really a problem, the situation in the province is different, she said. Even those who are financially capable have limited access to healthcare due to the absence of medical specialists.

“Samar needs technical people. Most doctors don’t want to work in Samar, and they want to stay in urban areas because the opportunities are there. With the help of Mandaluyong City, our doctors are going to be trained so that when they return to the province, they will render improved services,” Tan added.

The provincial government picked pediatric residency training which could help families later on since most couples in the province have more than five children.

Under the agreement signed by Tan and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., pediatric doctors from Samar will undergo three years of residency training at the MCMC.

They will receive a salary as Contractual Medical Officer III, including benefits and accommodation during the entire training.

The governor hopes that after the residency training, doctors will render their service in any hospitals managed by the Samar provincial government.

The provincial government has no record of the number of pediatricians from Samar province. (PNA)