Leyte-based UP-Manila School of Health Sciences among this year's 7 CSC Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardees

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 15, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The School of Health Sciences, the distance unit of the University of the Philippines-Manila which is based at Palo, Leyte, is one of this year’s seven Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardees under the Civil Service Commission’s 2008 Honor Awards Program.

The UP School of Health Sciences-Manila which was formerly called UP Institute of Health, is being cited for pioneering the development and implementation of the ladderized education in the Philippines and for its “Doktor para sa Bayan” project.

It is being cited for producing world-class medical workers and ensuring quality and accessible health care for the country.

It pioneered the use of ladderized education through its step ladder curriculum, granted scholarships to 200 students yearly, and provided quality education in health profession, all of which have contributed to the pool of competent health workers, serving the medical needs of the Filipinos, especially the underprivileged.

The step-ladder curriculum is the main feature of the SHS academic program. Here, instead of the usual fragmented approach to health sciences education, the training of a broad range of health manpower from Barangay Health Worker to Doctor of Medicine is integrated into a single, sequential and continuous curriculum.

In the past five years, the group has maintained above average performance of its midwifery, nursing and medical students in the National Licensure Examinations. Moreover, it has successfully inculcated patriotism among its graduates such that 100% of its midwifery and nursing alumni, and 99.6% of its doctors, have remained working in the Philippines.

The UP SHS-Manila has been called a unique school of medicine was set up at the University of the Philippines in Palo, Leyte. It was deliberately designed to produce health professionals who would eventually serve their communities. The concept for this medical school was designed by a leading psychologist. Students who are admitted would only come from the rural areas of the country. Their psychological make-up would be that of rural folk who would not look for the amenities of sophisticated city life. Subjects were heavy on community medicine and community immersion.

The team members who will receive the award at the Rizal Hall of the Malacanan Palace on September 19, 2008 are Ms. Jusie Lydia J. Siega-Sur, Ramon Arcadio, Alan P. Baltazar, Romeo O. Ceniza, Amabel A. Ganzo, Evangeline C. Pasagui, Loreta C. Soledad, and Zenaida C. Varona.