Waiver Jobs Forbidden?

Initially appeared on doktorko.com on 4/11/2006.

This year, when i asked the folks back home to renew my "Need Training Certificate," there was a new requirement: she had to attend an hour-long lecture/seminar.  The topic?  That DOH and related agencies will no longer sign waivers.  Here's the email from home:
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The DOH yearly VISA requirement was not as painless as we thought it would be. Now there is a one-hour lecture/seminar for the doctor/representatives before they issue the document for VISA extension.

Why?  There is an alarming exodus of doctors and the few who are left are becoming nurses and leaving as well.  In five years' time, the dearth of doctors will be an ugly problem.

The DOH has alerted the high-level commission (composed of DFA, Offcie of the pres., DOH, etc.) which signs wavers for doctors who don't plan of coming home anymore. This commission will no longer sign any waver.

Which means, after the maximum 7-year training abroad, all doctors will have to come home to practice for TWO YEARS.  After which, these doctors are free.

PROTESTS from the 50 or so attendees:

1. "It is so frustrating to come back and find that there are no equipment or no chance to practice what we have learned abroad!"

2. "How can we support our families with the pittance that hospitals in the Philippines pay doctors?"

3. "Our parents spent hard-earned money for our education.  It is an investment.  The only way we could pay back (ROI)  is to earn more than what we get here."

4. "Why is it that residents in the country have the same pay as janitors?"


The lady lecturer said, and I summarize:

"Yes, these are real problems.  But what DOH is asking for is ONLY TWO YEARS.   The profile of those going abroad -- UP graduates (who were sent to school by the people, through people's money and must at least give some time back to the people who sent them to school); and graduates of private schools (who will not starve if they just spent two years of their time practicing in the country).  Doctors must have a sense of mission."

"If you want to stay abroad forever,  that is your decision. But PLEASE, not through this program.  This program's requirement  is that -- after helping you go abroad  with your VISA, you have to come back for TWO YEARS to share what you have learned, for the sick people in your country."

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Is this true?  I need to do more research.