Pasay City, Philippines – In an effort to reduce healthcare disparities across the ASEAN region, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) concluded a successful meeting with the Healthcare Section of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA-HSC) last December 19, 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Representing PRC were Atty. Melissa Jane Comafay Yeachena, Director of the International Affairs Office and the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine. The ERIA-HSC was headed by Dr. Manami Uechi, Director of Healthcare Services, Naruhiro Hirai, Chief Manager on Healthcare, Dr. Yasuyuki Mitsuhashi, Senior Policy Fellow on Healthcare, and Dr. Antonio Fredelino Dela Resma Villanueva, Senior Research Fellow on Healthcare Policy.

As part of ERIA’s mandate to improve healthcare accessibility and quality within the ASEAN region, ERIA’s has shown interest in offering a full scholarship grant (Takemi Medical Scholarship) to the Philippines and is slated to launch by April 2026 to twenty (20) qualified scholars. The discussion also covers the difference in the curricula of the Philippines and Japan.

Moreover, ERIA-HCS has outlined a work plan and potential areas for cooperation, including verifying the eligibility of medical licenses in Japan for ASEAN countries, conducting surveys on medical license eligibility in ASEAN, providing opportunities to students in ASEAN countries to learn Japanese, and announcing the scholarship program to medical schools in the region.

With the intent to deepen areas of collaboration and cooperation, as recommended during the meeting, a proposal to convene with ERIA, PRC, PRB of Medicine, CHED, and DFA relative to the scholarship program was also raised. The same is set for further discussion and consideration with the ASEAN Secretariat under the requirements of ASEAN’s thrust for Mobility and Reciprocity in the region.

The PRC’s commitment not only reflects ERIA-HSC's efforts to make a significant step towards improving healthcare access and quality across ASEAN, but in fostering greater regional cooperation and understanding in the healthcare sector.

For queries and concerns, please email the PRC-IAO at iao1@prc.gov.ph .

#PRCinAction

#PRCInternationalAffairs