The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) took up the cudgels anew for the country’s health workers who have been “subjected to rampant discrimination and violence” due to the nature of their work amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Through Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, the CHR on Saturday, May 8, said wages and hazard pay of health workers are delayed and shortages of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other work-related needs pose risks to themselves.
Because of their close contacts with persons infected with COVID virus, De Guia said many health workers suffer discrimination and violence.
"Gayundin, laganap ang diskriminasyon at karahasan laban sa kanila dahil sa kanilang serbisyong ginagampanan, (At the same time, discrimination and violence against them are rampant because of the work they do),” she pointed out.
She noted that the plights faced by health workers are nothing new during the pandemic.
Instead of continuing to take them for granted, De Guia said Filipinos should imagine how the country would be like today without them.
"Kung wala ang ating mga magigiting na doktor, nars, at iba pang health workers, mahirap isipin kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng bansa. Ang kagalingan ng lahat ay mag-uugat sa pagtataguyod sa kanilang kapakanan at mga karapatan, (Without our valiant doctors, nurses, and other health workers, it is hard to imagine what the nation would be like. The well-being of all will be rooted in the promotion of their welfare and rights)," she stressed.
She urged Filipinos to treat health workers better by showing them respect and giving them the proper tools to do their jobs.
"Marapat lamang na ang mga health workers na nagsisikap itaguyod ang ating karapatan sa kalusugan ay pahalagahan, lalo na silang mga nasa malalayo at hirap maabot na lugar, (It is only just that health workers who strive to promote our right to health be valued, especially those in remote and hard-to-reach areas)," she added.