Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Hontiveros seeks early passage of anti-discriminatory bill on health workers, patients
Philippines
Hontiveros seeks early passage of anti-discriminatory bill on health workers, patients
Hontiveros seeks early passage of anti-discriminatory bill on health workers, patients
Published Apr 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday sought the passage of a bill that will protect health workers, frontliners, and patients from discrimination, harassment, and violence amid the crisis brought about by the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.
Senator Risa Hontiveros (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
Hontiveros, in filing Senate Bill No. 1436, the proposed “Mandatory Protection of Health Workers, Frontliners and Patients Act,” highlighted the need to address the threats and acts of violence health workers and COVID-19 patients are facing within their respective communities.
The measure seeks to amend Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which she co-authored.
The senator said the measure aims to cover all health workers, frontline employees, and patients, regardless if they are confirmed or merely suspected to be carriers of any disease of public health concern.
“In the midst of this crisis, our health workers continue to work at the frontlines, risking their and their families’ health and well-being for the health and well-being of our community,” Hontiveros said.
“Discrimination against health workers is a crime against public health,” she stressed.
The bill, once passed into law, will have violators face a fine of P20,000 to P50,000 and or imprisonment of one to six months.
Hontiveros said the measure is in response to the numerous complaints and reports of health workers and patients being barred entry to groceries, banks, boarding houses, and even into their own barangays.
She pointed out that there have been reports of extreme cases that have led to death, including the attack against an ambulance driver in Quezon City and another health worker in a hospital in Sultan Kudarat.
Under the measure, all forms of discrimination, or unfair or unjust treatment against a health worker, frontliner, “or any act that has the effect of actually causing or placing the same under a reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or impedes the conduct of their duties,” the law that imposes a higher penalty will apply.
“Ignorance and hostility will not protect us from the disease. Now more than ever, we need compassion and community. Now, more than ever, we need to protect health workers and frontliners,” Hontiveros said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
Hontiveros, in filing Senate Bill No. 1436, the proposed “Mandatory Protection of Health Workers, Frontliners and Patients Act,” highlighted the need to address the threats and acts of violence health workers and COVID-19 patients are facing within their respective communities.
The measure seeks to amend Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which she co-authored.
The senator said the measure aims to cover all health workers, frontline employees, and patients, regardless if they are confirmed or merely suspected to be carriers of any disease of public health concern.
“In the midst of this crisis, our health workers continue to work at the frontlines, risking their and their families’ health and well-being for the health and well-being of our community,” Hontiveros said.
“Discrimination against health workers is a crime against public health,” she stressed.
The bill, once passed into law, will have violators face a fine of P20,000 to P50,000 and or imprisonment of one to six months.
Hontiveros said the measure is in response to the numerous complaints and reports of health workers and patients being barred entry to groceries, banks, boarding houses, and even into their own barangays.
She pointed out that there have been reports of extreme cases that have led to death, including the attack against an ambulance driver in Quezon City and another health worker in a hospital in Sultan Kudarat.
Under the measure, all forms of discrimination, or unfair or unjust treatment against a health worker, frontliner, “or any act that has the effect of actually causing or placing the same under a reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm, or impedes the conduct of their duties,” the law that imposes a higher penalty will apply.
“Ignorance and hostility will not protect us from the disease. Now more than ever, we need compassion and community. Now, more than ever, we need to protect health workers and frontliners,” Hontiveros said.