MMSU College of Medicine opens in June

By Reynaldo E. Andres

Contributor

Batac CITY—The proposed College of Medicine (COM) of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) cleared a crucial hurdle when members of the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT), after a visit on Feb. 24, finally endorsed to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) its formal opening on the first semester of AY 2014-2015.

Led by Dr. Kristal Mendoza and Dr. Pacita Apilado, the RQAT team was deployed in the main campus to check the quality of the proposed offering based on policies, guidelines, and standards set by CHED.

It is recalled that MMSU President Miriam E. Pascua announced the formal opening of the college during the thanksgiving program tendered by CHS for its board examination passers held at the covered court on Jan, 27.

The president’s announcement was seen as a victory for those who have long petitioned for the medical school’s opening. Medical school advocates in the university were backed by statistical data showing an evident shortage of doctors in the rural areas, which shed light on the need for a fourth medical school in the Ilocos Region.

In her congratulatory speech addressed to the successful passers in pharmacy and nursing licensure examinations, the president challenged the graduates to enroll in the new program and even promised nurse board exam fourth placer Dharlene Abbygale G. Agullana an entrance scholarship once she decides to enroll.

Prof. Ryan Dean Sucgang, designated assistant college secretary, said two veteran physicians Joven Cuanang and Marietta Baccay will serve as administrative consultants prior to the appointment of a full time dean. Dr. Cuanang, who is now chairman of the board of St. Luke’s College of Medicine, retired in December 2013 as medical director of the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and Makati Global City. Meanwhile, a committee is currently screening prospective faculty members for the college.

The COM will occupy the University Training Center as its temporary shelter while waiting for the construction of a new building located at a lot currently occupied by the University Motor Pool. With the P40 million building commencing construction this year, the motor pool will be transferred to the CETC.

Since the college will open in June, university officials are trying to expedite arrangements and mechanisms. Negotiations with the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center leadership are underway regarding additional faculty members and clinical programs.

Aspiring medical students can start taking up BS Biology, BS Nursing, or other allied courses offered in the university in preparation for this new degree program. For those who have graduated, they should first pass the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) for them to qualify to enrol this year.

Cut-off percentile for NMAT varies by school. For some universities, it ranges from 35 percent to as high as 90 percent. The Ateneo de Manila Medical School, for instance, requires 80 percent while its Zamboanga campus accepts students regardless of their rating.

Other schools such as St. Louis University in Baguio City, and Far Eastern University in Manila demand 35 percent and 40 percent cut-off scores, respectively. The University of the Philippines College of Medicine sets it at 90 percent.

At MMSU, it will be 85 percent. According to Dr. Cuanang, setting a higher NMAT percentile requirement would result in a 100 percent passing probability in the Physicians’ Licensure Examination. Applicants will also have to undergo an interview.

For the meantime, only 25 enrollees will be admitted in the college as its pioneer batch. According to Pascua, many of them will possibly be enjoying scholarship from various local government units in Ilocos Norte which pledged to sponsor at least one medical student from their city or municipality.

There is a well-documented need for more physicians and better health care access in the Philippines which lags close to the bottom in nearly every measure of health when compared to other counties. Records reveal a shortage of between three and four million jobs in the health industry sector worldwide. Hence, MMSU officials and a coalition of community supporters in Ilocos Norte have long been pushing for a medical school in the province to deal with an increasing shortage of doctors and specialists in the country.

At present, Region I has three medical schools: Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation and Lyceum Northwestern University, both private schools in Pangasinan; and the University of Northern Philippines, a state university in Vigan City. (With a report from Herdy La. Yumul)