P400 million for condoms can be used to hire 3,000 doctors, says solon By Charlie V. Manalo 10/08/2010

P400 million for condoms can be used to hire 3,000 doctors, says solon

By Charlie V. Manalo 10/08/2010

The proposed P400 million allocation for contraceptives in the 2011 budget of the Department of Health (DoH) can be put to better use if spent for the salaries of about 3,000 medical specialists, a lawmaker said yesterday.

Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay said that in the order of priorities doctors “clearly come ahead of condoms and pills.”

With only one government doctor for every 29,000 Filipinos, “there is no doubt that doctor shortage is one problem area in the health system that needs to be addressed,” Magsaysay said.

Magsaysay said rechaneling the “birth control devices fund” to the hiring of doctors “would yield more benefits and serve the public interest more than using it for its original purpose.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101008nat2.html