MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES: PROBLEMS, RESOURCES, AND

NEEDS

I. HUMAN RESOURCE SUPPLY ISSUES

A. Medical Technology Education
- As of today, there are more than 120 schools offering the degree Bachelor of
Science in Medical Technology or Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science in the
Philippines.
- Two schools, the University of the Philippines Manila and Visayas, offer Bachelor
of Science in Public Health (BSPH), a course similar to medical technology.
- The Technical Committee on Medical Technology Education (TCMTE) performs
regular inspection of Medical Technology schools, new and old, to ensure that
the standards provided by the CHED are followed.
- The medical technology/medical laboratory science degree is considered as the
best preparatory course for those who wish to study Doctor of Medicine.
- Graduates of BSMT/BMLS course may go into specific professions, careers,
occupations, or trades such as clinical laboratory practice, education,
diagnostic/drug companies, research, and specialized fields.
- Scholarships are also available for deserving medical technology students, for
both baccalaureate and graduate degrees. These scholarships are provided by
Safeguard under Procter and Gamble Philippines – “Handog ng Safeguard,
Medtechs ng Kinabukasan Scholarship program” for baccalaureate degree and
“Dagdag Karunungan, Kinabukasan ng Kalusugan” for graduate degrees.
B. Medical Technology Training Program
- The Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science Internship Training Program
is in the fourth-year level of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical
Laboratory Science course.
- Enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for a member of the health
care delivery team who with precision and accuracy performs the clinical
laboratory procedures needed to help the physician in the proper diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of diseases.
- Develop among students a well-rounded personality with a healthy outlook and
oriented towards intelligent, ethical, and active participation in professional as
well as community welfare activities.
- The interns shall be required to have a total of forty (40) hours per week of duty
to complete a total of 1,080 hours in twenty-seven weeks. The interns must
render the following number of hours in each discipline:
a. Clinical Chemistry – 230 hrs.
b. Clinical Microscopy and Parasitology – 230 hrs.
c. Microbiology – 150 hrs.
d. Hematology – 120 hrs.
 e. Blood Banking – 150 hours
f. Histopathologic Technique and Cytology – 100 hrs.
g. Immunology and Serology – 100 hrs.
II. DEMAND FOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST
A. Prioritization Of Medical Technology Course
- There was a noticeable decline in the enrolment of medical technologist in
previous years. At present, there is shortage of Medical Technologists and other
allied health professionals nationwide and this threatens to compromise access to
quality care.
- The Commission on Higher Education released a list of priority courses for AY
2021-2021, and under the health education profession the medical technology
course is one of the priority courses..
B. Salary and Recruitment
- The medical technology profession has long suffered from lack of recognition
from both the public and within health care system.
- Perceptions that a career in Medical Technology offers few opportunities for
advancement coupled the fact that for many years, salaries for laboratory
professionals remained flat in comparison to comparably educated professionals,
have added to the challenge.
Salary Grade Table under Philippine Salary Standardization Law
Position Salary Grade Monthly Salary
MT I 11 23,877
MT II 15 33,575
MT III 18 43,681
MT IV 20 54,251
MT V 22 68,415
MLT I 6 16,200
MLT II 8 18, 251
MLT III 10 21,205

- Entry-level medical technologist in private hospitals, on the other hand, receive a

take home pay of Php 8,000 to Php 15,000 monthly. But since the supply of allied
medical professionals has decreased, several private hospitals provide good
compensation packages and motivational strategies to keep laboratory personnel
from leaving and going abroad.
- According to salary expert, the average medical technologist gross salary in
Philippines is Php 346, 146 or an equivalent hourly rate of Php 16. In addition,
they earn an average bonus of Php 6,196. An entry level medical technologist (1-
3 years’ experience) earns an average salary of Php 250, 752. On the other end, a
senior medical technologist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of
Php 430,469.