Section 15Sec./Art. 15

Role of the DOH.- The DOH shall perform the following functions in the implementation of the MSRS Program:

(a) In coordination with the CHED, SUCs and PHEIs, determine the initial number and distribution of physicians needed for each municipality or province, which determination shall be made every five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act;

(b) Ensure that all regions in the country have at least one (1) Level III DOH hospital to ensure the availability of a possible partner or base hospital of medical schools;

(c) Ensure the integration of scholars into the public health and medical service system, and monitor their performance during the mandatory return service period.

(d) Assist the CHED in the conduct of the regular information dissemination on the MSRS Program and in the recruitment of scholar-applicants;

(e) Craft a career pathway for physicians who are beneficiaries of the MSRS Program in the public health and medical service system to incentivize scholar-physicians to continue serving therein;

(f) Coordinate with the LGUs for the mandatory integration of scholar-physicians into the public health and medical service system; and

(g) Recommend to the DBM the creation of plantilla positions for scholar-physicians with salary grades commensurate to their educational achievement, training and other qualifications.ℒαwρhi৷