The West Visayas State University in Iloilo City is looking forward to enhancing and further improving its medical program with the addition of modern facilities.

In an interview on Wednesday, WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz said this was made possible through the PHP300 million fund facilitated by the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano since 2021, which was utilized in constructing two annex buildings, acquisition of equipment, mannequins, increasing the carrying capacity of nursing and allied health programs, and operating expenses, among others.

“The impact is immeasurable. This is a positive development. The initiatives and support of Sen. Pia Cayetano will further enhance and improve the program. We will be producing more doctors because we will be expanding our student intake next year,” Villaruz said.

He said the two annex buildings are already about 90 and 93 percent completed.

“It’s a skills laboratory, a simulation lab. This is where students practice their skills as doctors using mannequins and other materials. The medical education is now leading towards integrating information systems and artificial intelligence. We push for simulation-based education,” Villaruz added.

Cayetano, who made a short visit to the university and toured the facilities of the medical program Wednesday afternoon, said it has been her dream to support WVSU as it is the only state university other than UP College of Medicine that has its own teaching hospital.

“I’m really proud of being able to find the funding for these kinds of worthwhile projects. It is a personal victory for the medical students and faculty here, but it is a collective victory for the people of the province, of the region, na makikinabang sa (who would benefit from) better healthcare,” Cayetano, chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Finance that handles the Commission on Higher Education, state universities and colleges, and health, said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Villaruz said they will be taking in an additional 40 students next year, expanding their population from 120 to 160.

The new students will come straight from senior high school, and will enroll under the West Visayas State University Expedited Select Track for Medicine (WESTMed), an accelerated pathway for the medical program.

WESTMed allows students to graduate within seven years, in contrast with the current nine-year program. (PNA)