Mayagüez mayor launches programs to increase number of doctors in region

Mayagüez Mayor Jorge Ramos Ruíz, right, said “Our priority is to ensure that the residents of Mayagüez and western Puerto Rico have access to the necessary specialists to address medical emergencies promptly.”

By The Star Staff

Mayagüez Mayor Jorge Ramos Ruíz announced on Sunday the launching of two programs aimed at ensuring the availability of medical specialists in the city and across the western region.

The first proposal involves the establishment of a medical scholarship program that would outline the terms and conditions under which the Municipality of Mayagüez may award scholarships to medical students. The initiative aims to provide essential funding to support talented young individuals who wish to pursue training in the healthcare field, thereby contributing to the development of future medical professionals for the community.

Additionally, an economic incentive program has been introduced to promote the practice of specialized areas of medicine within the jurisdiction of Mayagüez. The program is to be formalized through a municipal ordinance that states in its opening section: “Create an Economic Incentive Program to encourage the practice of the following specialized medical fields within the municipality: Neurosurgery, Vascular Surgery, Otolaryngology (ENT), Intensive Care Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Maxillofacial Surgery.”

With the latter initiative, the Municipality of Mayagüez seeks to attract and retain more specialists in the region, ensuring that residents have better access to essential medical services without needing to travel to other areas for specialized care.

“Our priority is to ensure that the residents of Mayagüez and western Puerto Rico have access to the necessary specialists to address medical emergencies promptly,” Ramos Ruíz said. “With these initiatives, we reaffirm our commitment to improving healthcare access and the well-being of our community.”