The US network responsible for the hit show Desperate Housewives has been forced to apologise over a joke about medical education in the Philippines.

ABC is considering editing an episode of the new series which contains the joke acted out by Teri Hatcher, in which she asks to see a doctor’s credentials after being told she may be going through the menopause.

Her character Susan adds “just to make sure they aren’t from some school in the Philippines”.

The country’s health secretary Francisco Duque III said he would write to the producers, while senior cabinet member Eduardo Ermita said they were seeking an apology.

Almost 53,000 people have also joined an online petition started by Kevin Nadal, a Filipino living in New York.

The petition read: “A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field.”

The broadcaster released a statement offering its ‘sincere apologies’ for the joke, adding: “There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines.”

Nadal, 29, a college lecturer, has said ABC should also consider offering scholarships or donations to community groups as recompense.