“Walang bansa na makaka-survive nang walang nurses. My request is kung gusto niyo po silang mag stay dito, be fair (No country can survive without nurses. My request is if you want them to stay here, be fair).”
This was what May Parsons said on Monday, Aug. 22 as she highlighted the efforts needed to be taken by the government in relation to the often unnoticed sacrifices of nurses, doctors, and Philippine healthcare workers in general. Parsons was the Filipina nurse who administered the first Covid-19 vaccine jab in the world.
In June 2022, health experts expressed their concerns as numerous nurses in the Philippines resigned. Among these health professionals was former National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 special adviser Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon who stated that the lack of “better opportunities” in the country may be one of the reasons behind this surge of resignation.
“Exodus of healthcare workers is real. The silver lining – lots of nursing graduates. I think migration is inevitable given the lack of better opportunities here,” he said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, in a press conference, Parsons called on the national government to give Filipino nurses the treatment they deserve.
“Ang mensahe ko sa lahat ng Pilipino, sa mga tao sa gobyerno, at sa mga nagdedesisyon po sa future po ng nurses na nagtatrabaho sa hospital, clinics, at sa lahat – kaming pong mga nurses, tao lang din po kami. Meron po kaming mga pamilya, at gumagastos po kami. Kailangan din po namin mabuhay. Hindi po natin sila masisisi kung aalis sila kasi hindi nagbabago ang buhay nila (My message to all Filipinos, to the people in the government, and to those who decide on the future of nurses who work in hospitals, clinics, and to everyone – we nurses, we are only human. We have families, and we spend money. We also need to live. We can’t blame them if they leave the country because their lives are not getting better),” said Parsons.
“Kung hindi niyo po sila papahalagahan by giving them the right salary, by protecting them, or making them feel valued, hindi po sila mag s-stay. My request is kung gusto niyo po silang mag stay dito, be fair (If you do not appreciate them by giving them the right salary, by protecting them, or making them feel valued, they won’t stay. My request if you want them to stay here, be fair),” she furthered.
The Filipina nurse then reiterated that they are not asking for a “special treatment,” what they are asking for, according to her, is “fairness” and "equity."
In relation to this, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recently lifted their moratorium on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. This action, according to CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III, aims to “augment the demand” for nurses in the country, as well as to achieve the recommended ratio of nurses to the Philippine population.