More health-care workers needed to fight Covid-19

THE Department of Health (DOH) is appealing to all qualified health-care workers to heed government’s call to apply for jobs under the department’s emergency hiring program. The DOH admitted that it still lacks over 2,600 medical workers to help the country battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Of the 10,693 openings for doctors, nurses and other health-care workers under the emergency hiring program, the DOH has already hired 8,056 as of September 12, or 75.34 percent of the requirement. The program started in the middle of April 2020.

Some 43 percent hired under the program were deployed to public hospitals under the DOH, 17 percent were sent to laboratories, or Covid-19 diagnostics facilities, and 15 percent were dispatched to isolation and quarantine facilities, or temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.

“We are still appealing to those with medical training to join in the effort. Let’s save people. Someone’s mom or dad, son or daughter, spouse, or sibling needs critical care,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

Meanwhile, 979, or 12 percent, were sent to local government units and other hospitals and 554, or 7 percent, were sent to Covid-19 referral facilities.

Nurses account for the biggest chunk of new hires by profession, followed by medical technologists. There were 2,701 nurses hired under the program followed by 1,356 medical technologists.

The Department of Budget and Management earmarked P1.74 billion for the emergency hiring program that would have translated to an average salary of P163,146 for four months from mid April to August.

The bulk of the funds, or P1.58 billion, went to Covid referral hospitals, DOH designated diagnostic facilities and public hospitals under the agency.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the brave health workers who heeded the call to serve and protect our patients, and we appeal for more medical frontliners to join us in fighting Covid-19. Tayo ding mga kapwa Pilipino ang magtutulungan para labanan at alagaan ang kapwa natin Pilipino sa kinakaharap nating pandemya. Together, let us beat Covid-19! We will heal as one,” remarked Duque.

With the recent signing of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, or Bayanihan 2 into law, the health system will now be better equipped to combat the pandemic and health-care workers will not be hindered from fulfilling their passion to heal and save lives.

“The passage of Bayanihan 2 is a win for every Filipino, most especially for every health-care worker who tirelessly caters to all our Covid-19 patients. Aside from the procurement of various health equipment that will ramp up our fight against Covid-19, this law will allow us to better care for our true heroes and ensure that they are protected and provided for,” Duque said as he thanked Congress for passing the Bayanihan II, and to President Duterte for signing it into law.

For more information on the hiring process visit bit.ly/hrhhiringfaqs. For further inquiries, you may also e-mail hcwhiring@doh.gov.ph or call 7266-7979.