MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay urged doctors and lawyers in the country to work together in developing a comprehensive health care system for Filipinos.

Keynoting the graduation of residents and fellows of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center in a hotel in Makati City Tuesday evening, Binay, a lawyer by profession, cited similarities between the legal and medical professions, saying they could help form medical-legal partnerships that would benefit even the most basic health services.

"I refer to removing the legal and social barriers that prevent our less fortunate countrymen from getting the medical care they need. After all, lawyers and doctors are both in the business of protecting our basic human right to health care," Binay said.

"I believe that through this partnership approach, we can easily integrate legal knowledge into medical practice, and in the process, we improve not only patients' health, but also efficiency in our health care system," he added.

He thanked the graduates for choosing to stay and practice their craft in the country.

"Such a choice positively reflects on certain values apparently imparted to you by the Chinese General Hospital. And one such value, I presume, is to first make your services available to those most in need—at home," the Vice President said.

"Those who need your help most are your fellow Filipino," he stressed.

The Chinese General Hospital is one of the oldest and most advanced tertiary hospitals in the country.