This change paves the way for international students to build their medical careers in the Southeast Asian country.
Additionally, the amendment establishes the Medical Education Council and the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine.
These new bodies, formed after replacing the decades-old Medical Act of 1959, aim to enhance academic standards, foster ethical practices, and position the Philippines as a competitive player in global medical education.
Among 64 accredited medical schools and globally recognised residency programs, the Philippines offers a rare combination of quality education and affordability
Kadwin Pillai, Kings International Medical Academy
“The country’s English-based instruction, US-aligned curriculum and affordable tuition fees have drawn thousands of aspirants annually,” stated Kadwin Pillai, managing director, Transworld Educare and director, Kings International Medical Academy.
“Among 64 accredited medical schools and globally recognised residency programs, the Philippines offers a rare combination of quality education and affordability,” stated Pillai.
The MBBS program spans six years in the Philippines, with the final year dedicated to internship opportunities.
To qualify for the MD course, international students must complete a three-semester BS program and achieve a competitive National Medical Admission Test score.
Successfully completing the BS course and passing the NMAT are mandatory prerequisites for pursuing a medical degree.
Over 24,000 international students were granted study visas to pursue education in the Philippines, with more than half of them being Chinese nationals.
India, Nigeria, South Korea, and Thailand follow China as other major source markets for the country.
Moreover, currently, around 2,000 Indian students choose the Philippines each year for their medical studies.
In recent years, medicine and business have emerged as the most popular courses among international students in the Philippines, particularly those coming from India, China and other Southeast Asian countries.
Despite the success, the country’s immigration body has alleged that an “influx of international students is leading to security concerns in the country”.
