4 October 2008
Outstanding Filipino physicians awarded at Manila Hotel September 29, 2008
Posted by admin under: Press Release .
By JENNY F. MANONGDO
Click to download the TOFP 2008 Souvenir Program Magazine
In a regal program fit for stars, The Outstanding Filipino Physicians (TOFP) were awarded the other night, in a ceremony that organizers hoped would inspire other physicians to practice in the country despite the lure of better financial compensations abroad.
The grandiose ceremony held at the Manila Hotel last Monday night recognized 10 outstanding physicians in various specializations.
The 2008 outstanding Filipino physicians include Dr. Edward H.M. Wang, the “trailblazer and pioneer orthopedic physician”, Dr. Rimando C. Saguin, “the medical-surgical missionary from Batangas”, Dr. Anthony Leachon, “H.E.R.O. advocate in our midst.”, Dr. Blesilda dela Rosa-Salvador also known as “health educator through media”; Dr. Leonor Cabral Lim, the “advocate for persons with epilepsy”; Dr. Elvira L. Henares-Esguerra, the “Joan of Arc of breastfeeding”; Dr. Mark Richard C. Kho known as “the pioneer and only Filipino oncologist”;Dr. Egidio P. Elio known as “Antigueños PUMP for public health”; Dr. Victor Romulo G. Dumaguing, “the rain or shine doctor in the Cordilleras”; and Dr. Lorenzo Rommel G. Cariño, the “ace cardiologist and RP’s miracle doctor”.
This noble search award is a joint project of the JCI Senate Philippines and the Department of Health (DOH) in cooperation with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). This year’s TOFP National Steering Committee Chairman is JCI Sen. Melandrew T. Velasco who personally coined this year’s theme” “Serving and caring for our countrymen are the best works of life,” culled from sixth tenet of the Jaycee creed that “service to humanity is the best work of life.”
Organizers hoped the second TOFP would encourage more Filipino doctors to stay as the country’s medical industry continues to struggle due to the massive exodus of health professionals, a phenomenon described by health officials as no longer a brain drain but already a ‘brain hemorrhage.’
A staggering 40,000 doctors are now working abroad as nurses leaving the ratio of physicians to patients at 1 per 28,000 respectively.
This was revealed by DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III during the awarding ceremony.
Moreover, he said 1,200 doctors leave each year to work as nurses. Since 2001, he said 6,000 have already left to work as nurses abroad.
“If this exodus continues unabated, time will come when health care in the Philippines shall have deteriorated to a point when most vacancies for the positions of government doctors, nurses, midwives and other health workers could no longer be filled up. The first to suffer will be our remotest towns,” Duque said.
“If and when the exodus of Filipino health professionals to destinations overseas reaches a point when we could not train enough professionals to take their place, this nation, I fear, will be forced to import health workers. By then, health care shall have suffered a similar fate as the Philippine rice.”
PCSO Chairman and JCI Senator Sergio O. Valencia warned that the Philippines could face a shortage of approximately 10,000 skilled doctors if the trend continues.
But while more health professionals are understandably focused on better opportunities abroad, JCI Senate Philippines National President Carlos G. Co said there is nothing more rewarding than being able to contribute to the development of one’s country.
“They may have various reasons to leave the country for good, better and greener pastures. While this is true, I believe more in giving back to one’s country to the best of one’s ability. In the long run, it gives us a more fulfilling sense of reward than getting better sum of money out there when we are able to put and pave way for the health not only of one person but of multitudes.”
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