The reality is that not everyone is able to access basic health care, especially in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health, the current doctor-to-patient ratio in the country is 3 to 5 doctors for every 10,000 patients, which is far behind the department’s target of 10 to 14 doctors for every 10,000 patients.
With the country in need of more doctors, Ren Barniso and Clyde Ranay have answered the call. The two medical students are well into their studies, with support from New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corporation (NMPC) as the company’s scholars.
Ren and Clyde’s journey towards becoming physicians was inspired by their personal experiences at home – caring for family members – and from hands-on work with patients during their pre-medical careers.
Ren Barniso: Doing More for Patients
Ren, who is now in his third year at the University of Southeastern Philippines, is a physical therapist whose decision to become a doctor was largely influenced by loved ones who have chronic conditions. Finding himself caring for them, and later his patients after completing his Physical Therapy degree, left a mark that galvanized his will to serve the public.
One of Ren’s memorable experiences as a healthcare professional involved taking three different vehicles just to reach a community. The episode strengthened his belief that Filipinos deserve better access to healthcare, regardless of where they live.
As a physical therapist, Ren’s work with stroke patients has also been meaningful and brought to the fore the core of why he wants to serve in the first place.
“One patient I encountered was only 33 years old and faced the possibility of losing the ability to eat independently and return to work. I worked with him closely to show him that it’s not the end of anything for him; that he can hope and he can heal. Aft
Outside medicine, Ren continues to challenge himself through running, hiking, and gym training.
Clyde Ranay: Being an Agent of Change
Clyde, who is from Sta. Ana, Cagayan and is now studying at Cagayan State University College of Medicine, has always been drawn to science. His interest began at a young age, when watching documentaries on Animal Planet sparked his curiosity about how the world works. Science became his favorite subject in school, eventually leading him to take up Biology as his pre-medical course.
His decision to pursue medicine was also influenced by his family. Growing up, Clyde saw his grandparents take maintenance medication, while both his parents managed hypertension. These experiences gave him an early appreciation of the importance of healthcare and strengthened his desire to understand how he could help others.
For Clyde, the appeal of science lies in its endless quest for knowledge. “In science, every answer comes with a new question,” he shares, describing curiosity as a springboard to a continuous cycle of learning.
His medical training has since given him a closer look at the realities of healthcare, particularly in rural communities. During his experience at Sta. Ana Community Hospital, Clyde saw how limited resources can affect the delivery of care, with instances where only one doctor was on duty to attend to patients in the outpatient department, emergency room, and ward.
The experience, along with his exposure to cases involving teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other health concerns in rural areas, made him realize that being a physician is not only about treating patients. It is also about understanding the healthcare system and finding ways to improve it.
Clyde hopes to become an agent of change and a physician leader. “Kaya ako nandito dahil may gusto akong mabago. Gusto kong matutunan ang sistema at kung paano pwedeng baguhin ang sistema para sa ikabubuti ng mas marami. (I’m here because I want something to change. I want to learn how the system works so I can help change it to aid more people,” he says.
For him, becoming a good physician means being competent and knowing how to heal, but also being humble, adaptable, and able to naturally connect with people. He is currently working as a general practitioner at Sta. Ana Community Hospital and is considering pursuing a specialization in internal medicine or family medicine in the future.
Building the Future of Healthcare
For Ren and Clyde, becoming physicians is more than pursuing a profession. It is a commitment shaped by the people they have cared for, the patients they have encountered, and the healthcare realities they have witnessed.
Their stories reflect the kind of future the country needs – one where more Filipinos have access to compassionate and competent healthcare, and where the next generation of physicians is ready to serve communities and create meaningful change.
Through its scholarship program, NMPC is proud to support Ren and Clyde as they continue their journey towards becoming physicians and contributing to a healthier Philippines.
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