To remedy the situation, Dr. Janairo looked onto the potential medical technologists. The med tech course takes four years to complete – a length of time that Dr. Janairo simply could not afford. In an attempt to entice more medical technologists as well as bridge that time gap, Dr. Janairo devised a fast-track solution. Scholarships were given to healthcare workers to take up a second degree on medical technology.

The region initially opened this program to nursing and midwifery graduates. They’ve already earned enough credits in the previous course to shorten their second degree to two years. This would mean that a new batch of medical technologists can soon serve the government hospitals and rural health units of MIMAROPA.

In its first year of implementations, seven passed the entrance exams of the program’s partner college, St. Jude College. Five of them would then go on to pass the medical technology board exams and serve MIMAROPA’s health facilities. The other two are currently reviewing for August’s licensure exam.

This project has raised the awareness of the community on their med tech shortage. This encouraged parents to invest in their children’s future as medical technologists. The collective efforts of the community now provides great hope for both Dr. Janairo and the rest of the MIMAROPA region.