Manila: As the Philippines continues to expand access to healthcare services under the Universal Health Care Act, the need for a well-trained, responsive, and adequately distributed healthcare workforce remains one of the country's most pressing challenges. Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to address the gap in the healthcare workforce, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during CHED's 32nd anniversary celebration on June 10, establishing a strengthened framework for collaboration in workforce development and higher education quality enhancement.
According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement led by CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis and DOH Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa formalizes cooperation between the two agencies to ensure that higher education programs in the health professions remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of the country's healthcare system. "Healthcare begins with people. By strengthening the link between higher education and the health sector, we can better prepare the next generation of Filipino health professionals and ensure that our institutions produce graduates equipped to respond to the nation's healthcare needs," Agrupis said, as quoted in a news release Friday.
Under the MOU, CHED and DOH will work together on initiatives that support health workforce planning and development, improve the quality and relevance of health-related academic programs, and strengthen evidence-based policymaking in health professions education. The partnership is expected to contribute to the advancement of universal healthcare by helping ensure a sustainable pipeline of qualified health professionals, improving health outcomes, and promoting equitable access to quality health services across the country.
The agreement also reinforced the shared commitment of CHED and DOH to align education and workforce development strategies with national health priorities, enabling higher education institutions to play a more active role in addressing current and emerging healthcare challenges. The signing of the MOU was among several strategic partnerships unveiled during CHED's anniversary celebration, highlighting the commitment to building stronger linkages across government sectors and ensuring that higher education remains responsive to the country's development goals.
Through the strengthened collaboration, CHED and DOH aim to help cultivate a future-ready health workforce capable of supporting a healthier, more resilient, and more inclusive Philippines.
