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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DOH: More than 600 health care workers volunteer their services

DOH: More than 600 health care workers volunteer their services

Published Mar 29, 2020 12:00 am
By Analou De Vera The Department of Health (DOH) said that more than 600 health workers have volunteered to join the government's efforts to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA / MANILA BULLETIN) Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA / MANILA BULLETIN) Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that 690 health workers have already signed up as volunteers. They are expected to help in manning the three COVID-19 referral centers in Metro Manila. The COVID-19 referral centers where they will be deployed are the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City, and the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City. “Inilunsad ito para masiguradong may sapat po tayong health care workforce na titingin sa ating COVID-19 patients ,” said Vergeire in a press briefing last Saturday night. Vergeire said that they will implement "two weeks on, two weeks off" policy for volunteer healthcare workers. "Sa bawat dalawang linggong duty, ang healthcare worker ay kailangang sumailalim sa two-week quarantine period pagkatapos," she noted. Apology After the DOH drew criticism from various sectors, Vergeire offered an apology regarding the P500 daily allowance that will be given to volunteer health care workers. The Health official said that they understand the sentiments of the public on the compensation of the health care workers. “Humihingi rin po kami ng tawad kung ang impresyon na naibigay ng P500 daily allowance ay ganito lamang ang halaga na ibinibigay namin sa ating health care workers. Alam po natin dito sa Kagawaran kung gaano kaimportante, ka-delikado, ang maging isang health care worker lalong-lalo na sa ganitong panahon,” said Vergeire. Vergeire explained that the said amount was based on the rate that they have provided to healthcare workers during the previous outbreaks, adding that the majority of the DOH budget---for the COVID response--is allocated for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPEs). The Health official expressed hopes that they would be able to increase the daily allowance of volunteers using the supplemental budget provided by the Congress. “Amin na pong inaayos ang paghahati ng pera para mapaglaanan natin lahat ng importanteng bagay tulad ng compensation para sa ating mga health care workers, pagbili ng PPEs, pag-aayos ng health facilties, at para sa COVID-19 benefit packages mula sa PhilHealth,” said Vergeire.

In a statement on Sunday, the DOH said that the proposed benefit package for volunteers “is a provisional one.”

“With the passage of the ‘Bayanihan Act and the issuances of the Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary today, we anticipate more flexibility to realign budgets further and receive additional funds for emergency hiring of temporary healthcare workers, among other equally important initiatives.”

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