Heroes on call: Filipino health workers in the midst of an Omicron surge
How can we go on duty if we, workers, could hardly breathe?
How can we go on duty if we, workers, could hardly breathe?
Described by the health department as “the first batch of fund transfers,” the P311.79-million ($6.2 million) SRA funds is a measly 2.6 percent of the unused P11.9-billion ($238.2 million) allocated for health workers’ Special Risk Allowance and Hazard Pay, which the Commission on Audit recently flagged.
“This is a matter of survival to us, because we need to bring back good governance,” said retired Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.
Even before the pandemic, Maristela Abenojar of the Filipino Nurses United said nurses are already attending to 30 to as many as 60 patients per shift. This is a far cry from the ideal 1:12 ratio for ward patients and 1:1 for patients in intensive care.
“It is not easy to see your patients suffering. Our profession demands that we provide holistic care.”
“If you do not have that certification, you cannot avail of hospital services.”
“The FNU has been getting reports of LGU nurses experiencing harassment, intimidation and other forms of unfair, even inhuman practices, directly or indirectly related to political dynamics in their place of assignment.”
“While we continuously care for people’s health amid health risks, the government continuously fails to honor its commitment to implement the Philippine Nursing Law of 2002 specially the provision on decent wages.”
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