PH Gov't Ready W/ Measures To Prevent Shortage Of Health Workers

Roque Says PH Gov’t Ready W/ Measures To Halt Shortage Of Health Workers

PH – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippine government has prepared measures to prevent the shortage of health workers.

During a senate public hearing last March, the Department of Health (DOH) said that the country is short of 8,840 doctors nationwide. Several doctors and nurses have died due to COVID-19.

Health workers put their lives at risk just to save their patients. In a previous article, a lawmaker proposed that the frontliners who died in the line of service deserve to be buried at the ‘Libingan ng Mga Bayani.’

Based on a report from GMA News, Philippine’s confirmed case on Friday, May 1, has reached 8,772. DOH said the coronavirus has infected 566 doctos, 638 nurses, 66 medical technologists, 104 nursing assistants, 32 rad tech, 18 respiratory therapists, 14 pharmacists, 19 midwives, and 237 others.

Harry-Roque-1-1 — Photo Source: Metro News Central

According to the report, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during a public briefing that the Philippine government has prepared measured to avert the shortage of medical workers. His statements came after the DOH expressed alarm over the increasing number of frontliners who got infected with the deadly virus.

“Meron na rin tayong mga hakbang na ginagawa. Unang una, ‘yung mga medical graduates maski ‘di pa pasado ng board ay ginagawan ng paraan para sila ay makatulong na rito,” Roque said.

philippines-frontliners — Photo Source: Unreserved

Based on the report, Harry Roque revealed that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte mentioned during a meeting with Cabinet members that medical students should be ready in case the COVID-19 situation in the country worsens.

“Sabi nga ng Presidente, noong huling pagpupulong sa ilang piling miyembro ng Gabinete, pati ‘yung mga under board at fourth year students ay kinakailangan handa na in case mangailangan ng additional health workers,” he said.