Canadian Jesuits International

The SCHOOL OF MEDICINE was set up in 1994 in western MINDANAO in the PHILIPPINES to train physicians to provide urgently needed medical care to mostly rural communities in this underdeveloped and conflict-laden area.

The school is a joint project between the Zamboanga Medical School Foundation and the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU).

Since opening with 27 students in the first cohort, the school has produced 200 board certified physicians to date. The school adopts a community-based medical curriculum with emphasis on family and rural medical practice. The programme consists of five years (four years of strictly medical studies and one year of Masters in Public Health).

Health indicators in the region have improved and students working along with the community have been able to see health practices changed: building pit latrines, increased immunization rates, cottage industries for generating income, proper garbage disposal and creating home vegetable gardens.

Director: Fr Tony Moreno SJ, President of Ateneo de Zamboanga
www.som.adzu.edu.ph/