Medical Interns as Volunteers in the COVID-19 Vaccination Drives in the Philippines

Authors

  • Ian Christopher N. Rocha School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Department of Medical Education and Research, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8775-6876
  • Kimberly G. Ramos School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Professional Education Training and Research Office, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2675-5765
  • Alyssa A. Solaiman-Balt School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Postgraduate Internship Program, Medical Center Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Trisha Denise D. Cedeño School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Postgraduate Internship Program, Medical Center Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5005-9065

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.1227

Keywords:

COVID-19, vaccine, volunteerism, pandemic, internship, Philippines

Abstract

In the efforts of the Philippine government to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, the Department of Health has called on postgraduate medical interns, who recently earned their medical degree, to join the vaccination drives as part of their community and elective rotations, with guided supervision by licensed physicians. Through this initiative, volunteer medical interns were able to acquire valuable experience by performing in a real-life setting, gaining practical hands-on knowledge, and making a significant impact in the lives of people in the community by sharing their knowledge and skills and fulfilling their mission to heal and serve mankind. This initiative can be emulated by other countries with inadequate healthcare workforce in order to speed up their vaccination efforts.

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Author Biographies

Ian Christopher N. Rocha, School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Department of Medical Education and Research, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

Dr. Ian Christopher N. Rocha is a postgraduate intern at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. He is a graduate of Doctor of Medicine from Centro Escolar University, Master of Health Social Science from De La Salle University, Master of Business Administration from National College of Business and Arts, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Far Eastern University. His research interests include medicine, public health, health social science, health governance, and education.

Kimberly G. Ramos, School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Professional Education Training and Research Office, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines

Dr. Kimberly G. Ramos is a postgraduate intern at Quirino Memorial Medical Center. She is a graduate of Doctor of Medicine from Centro Escolar University and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arellano University. Her research interests include western medicine, traditional and alternative medicine, public health, and nutrition.

Alyssa A. Solaiman-Balt, School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Postgraduate Internship Program, Medical Center Manila, Manila, Philippines

Dr. Alyssa A. Solaiman-Balt is a postgraduate intern at the Medical Center Manila. She is a graduate of Doctor of Medicine from Centro Escolar University and Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of San Carlos. Her research interests include medicine, pharmacology, and public health.

Trisha Denise D. Cedeño, School of Medicine, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines; Postgraduate Internship Program, Medical Center Manila, Manila, Philippines

Dr. Trisha Denise D. Cedeño is a postgraduate intern at the Medical Center Manila. She is a graduate of Doctor of Medicine from Centro Escolar University and Bachelor of Science in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines Diliman. Her research interests include medicine, public health, and global health.

References

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Published

2021-11-03 — Updated on 2022-04-13

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How to Cite

Rocha, I. C., Ramos, K., Solaiman-Balt, A., & Cedeño, T. D. (2022). Medical Interns as Volunteers in the COVID-19 Vaccination Drives in the Philippines. International Journal of Medical Students, 10(1), 89–91. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.1227 (Original work published April 5, 2022)

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Experience

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2020 Ian Christopher N. Rocha, Kimberly G. Ramos, Alyssa A. Solaiman-Balt, Trisha Denise D. Cedeño

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