Free Medical Education for Underprivileged Students Coming Soon to South Cotabato, Says Gov. Tamayo

Aspiring doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals in South Cotabato will soon have the opportunity to study for free, as the South East Asian Institute of Technology (SEAIT) is set to offer medical courses with the construction of the three-story Matutum Pines Medical Hospital in Tupi town.

This initiative was confirmed by SEAIT founder and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. during one of his recent visits to the SEAIT campus. The privately funded hospital, which will serve as a training ground for future medical students, held its groundbreaking ceremony on October 25, 2024.

"Ang pamilya namin ay magtatayo ng isang private hospital upang ang SEAIT, na matagal nang nagbibigay ng libreng kolehiyo sa mga estudyante kahit walang government scholarship, ay makapag-alok na rin ng medical courses. Hindi kasi tayo makaka-offer ng medical programs kung wala tayong sariling ospital," said Governor Tamayo.

Students dreaming of becoming doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals but lack the financial means to do so will now have the opportunity to pursue their education at no cost.

"Bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon na makapag-aral ng LIBRE ang mga estudyanteng gustong kumuha ng medical courses, lalo na ang mga mahihirap at walang kakayahang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral," said Gov. Tamayo.

Governor Tamayo, who founded SEAIT in 2015 at the age of 25,  emphasized the need for healthcare professionals who come from humble backgrounds, as they are the ones who truly understand the struggles of the poor and will serve with deeper compassion.

"Kailangan natin ng mga doktor at nurses na galing sa mahihirap na pamilya dahil sila ang tunay na nakakaunawa sa nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayang mahihirap," he stated.

By empowering students from disadvantaged communities, this program aims to produce medical professionals who are not just highly skilled but also deeply committed to serving those in need.