Let them give back

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Filipino doctors based in the United States, who have been trying to give back to their country by conducting medical missions or donating hospital equipment, have complained to Health Secretary Enrique Ona back in October of “strict and unreasonable” guidelines set by the Philippine Regulatory Commission and “excessive” customs duties slapped on hospital equipment donated from abroad. Ona, who was made aware of the concerns of the doctors such as “burdensome” paperwork, exorbitant temporary medical license fees and the need for malpractice insurance, recently assured the US-based Filipino doctors that the Philippine government, is addressing their concerns.

As a result, the DOH, in coordination with the PRC and the Bureau of Customs, have set up a one-stop shop under the DOH’s Bureau of International Health Services to handle all documentary requirements for such activities. Aside from that, the Health Secretary says that the malpractice insurance and temporary medical license fee requirements have been suspended following the objection of the doctors.

The doctors, who may be US-based Filipinos, or kind-hearted foreigners, do not only spend valuable time and personal funds when they come to the Philippines and give free medical care to Filipinos, they are also actually helping the local economy and the tourism efforts of the government when they come over to visit. After helping the government provide much needed medical care to the poorest of the poor, they also infuse money into the local economies when they stay in hotels, dine, and entertain themselves in the areas they choose to help. Aside from being bighearted philanthropists, they are also generous tourists.

Our country needs more people like these doctors to keep coming back and giving back and it should be the priority of the DOH, the PRC and the BOC to find ways to make it easier for them to continue doing good for the Philippines instead of discouraging them and giving these well intentioned doctors, who also happen to be tourists a hard time. Kudos to the DOH for responding appropriately and expeditiously to their concerns.

 Perhaps, in due time these temporary accommodations and exceptions will become policy so legitimate medical missions will be encouraged further instead of being discouraged.*