Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program

About the MD Program

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program at Davao Medical School Foundation is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience required to become competent doctors. In the Philippines system, MD is the equivalent of India's MBBS — and it is the qualifying degree Indian students will use to write FMGE/NExT and practice in India.

The program combines classroom learning, laboratory training, hospital exposure, and patient-centered education. DMSF follows a structured medical curriculum that focuses on basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, patient care, medical ethics, practical learning, and hospital-based training.

Program Duration — NMC Aligned

The MD program is 4.5 years (54 months) — exactly meeting the NMC's 54-month requirement for Indian students. This is critical: if the course is shorter, the degree is not recognized for FMGE/NExT eligibility back in India.

• 1st Year MD — Pre-clinical foundations (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry)
• 2nd Year MD — Para-clinical (Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine)
• 3rd Year MD — Clinical sciences (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obs-Gyn, etc.)
• 4th Year MD — Clinical clerkship and hospital rotations
• 5th Year MD — Final year with internship rotations at DMSF Hospital

Why Indian Students Choose the DMSF MD Program

• English-medium instruction throughout the course
• Strong clinical exposure at DMSF Hospital from year 3
• Affordable fee structure ($24,750 USD over 9 semesters)
• International student support — large Indian community
• Tropical climate similar to India — easy adjustment
• Curriculum directly aligned with NMC requirements

What Comes After MD?

After graduating, Indian students complete a 12-month internship in the Philippines (at DMSF Base Hospital), then return to India and clear the FMGE (or NExT exam under newer NMC rules) to register as medical practitioners. Our team supports students through this entire post-MBBS journey.