Recognition for Filipino Doctors
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari and Dr Rossel-Ubial, with MMG chief executive Dr Tiongco and other dignitaries after their meeting in Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), through the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP), has released an updated “Approved Specialty Qualifications List for Physicians” in Qatar, which now includes doctors from the Philippines who are diplomates of the Philippine Board.
Diplomates of the Philippine Board can get the “specialist” title after three years of work experience from post-qualification degree, unless more years of experience is specified.
They are not eligible for a “consultant” title unless a higher qualification is obtained.
This follows the ministerial meeting on January 23 between HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari and the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr Paulyn Jean B Rossel-Ubial.
The meeting, organised by the Philippine Business Council (PBC), also discussed the equivalency of the qualifications of Filipino medical professionals.
Together with PBC Qatar executives, Rossel-Ubial was joined by Maylene Beltran, the director of the DOH’s Bureau of International Health Co-operation, and Dr Jose M Tiongco, the chief executive of the Medical Mission Group (MMG) Hospitals and Health Services Co-operative of the Philippines.
Representatives of MMG advisers ProInvest Plus International and Kasian Qatar Consulting were also present.
Dr Tiongco said that the equivalency of Filipino doctors “is crucial” to the planned Filipino hospital and polyclinic that MMG is working to set up in Qatar.
A five-member team from MMG Philippines was in Qatar in January to meet Qatari investors and evaluate potential locations, as well as meet the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners “to champion the qualifications of Filipino medical professionals”.
The discussion on equivalency was spearheaded by the Filipino Medical Association in Qatar two years ago with the support and endorsement of the Philippines embassy.
PBC Qatar chairman Greg Loayon told Gulf Times that he is “thankful for the recognition accorded by MoPH and QCHP to Filipino doctors”.
He added that this reinforces the competency of Filipino medical professionals in Qatar, “which will serve to bolster the number of qualified doctors in the country”.
Robert Lepon, adviser to PBC Qatar, added: “The establishment of a Filipino hospital and polyclinic in the country supports one of the pillars of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.”
According to PBC chief executive Lyndon Magsino, the MMG and its advisers “are now working towards finalising the set-up of the first of a series of polyclinics, as well as firming up discussions with the Qatari investor for the Filipino hospital”.
(Source: Gulf-Times.com)