Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered an evaluation of the health condition of medical workers within the police organization amid reports of exhaustion and stress among them.
(PNP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"We will be re-evaluating our health service personnel including our medical reserve force," said Gamboa, citing the need for a "heart to heart talk" with their doctors and nurses.
There are currently a total of 2,283 COVID-19 cases in the PNP as of August 3. Eleven of the infected died while a total of 1,251 personnel were able to recover.
Gamboa stressed a "timeout" for their medical workers is not feasible, citing the minimal number of COVID patients they attend to.
Last week, several groups of health workers called for timeout on the response on COVID-19 urging the government to place Metro Manila and other areas with high cases of coronavirus infection to be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) anew.
They cited deplorable cases of medical health workers that include infection and deaths among their ranks and fatigue due to the rising number of patients that they have to attend to.
The call, however, was met with tongue-lashing from President Duterte who described it as an effort to demean his administration. The Chief Executive also accused medical workers of complaining too much and even linked the call for timeout a revolution against his administration.
In response, the medical community said their call for timeout will allow the government to regroup and recalibrate the existing policies in order to improve the country's chance of defeating the coronavirus infection.
The government has been repeatedly accused of lacking direction and a clear plan on how to deal with the virus.