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Tolentino to new DOH chief: Address PH nurses' complaints on compensation
Philippines
National
Tolentino to new DOH chief: Address PH nurses' complaints on compensation
Tolentino to new DOH chief: Address PH nurses' complaints on compensation
Published Jun 12, 2023 08:04 am
Fresh innovations by the new leadership of the Department of Health (DOH) are needed to encourage Filipino nurses to remain in the country, Senator Francis N. Tolentino on Monday, June 12, said.
Sen. Francis Tolentino (Senate PRIB Photo)
"In the next budget cycle, will the DOH propose upgrades so that our nurses will not leave the country)?” Tolentino asked Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who was the main guest during the senator’s weekly radio program on DZRH. “Papaano natin ma-enganyo ang ating mga kababayang nurses na gusto natin matulungang huwag muna umalis sa Pilipinas (How will we convince our nurses not to leave the county)?" Tolentino added. According to Tolentino, the main problem hounding the local nursing industry has always been the issue of their compensation, whether they are working in the government or in private medical facilities, regardless. He said there really is a wide gap between salaries of nurses here and those in medical facilities overseas, and that's why most of them have no choice but to seek greener pastures abroad or, worse, seek a different career path. For his part, Herbosa agreed with Tolentino’s observation, saying that he is currently in talks with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to somehow relax the licensing rules to allow the employment of nurses in government health facilities, especially the fresh graduates. “Ang problema, ang Civil Service natin allows only licensed nurse to work in the health sector in the government (The problem is that the Civil Service Commission only allows licensed nurses to work in the health sector of the government). Actually, nakausap ko na ang PRC (Actually, I have already talked to the Professional Regulations Commission). Kinausap ko na mabigyan ng temporary license for three years if they have graduated nursing to work in the government (I asked PRC to issue temporary license for three years if they have graduated nursing to work in the government). Sa gobyerno lang muna tayo kasi mahirap kung palawakin natin sa private at baka doon naman sa private pumunta (I want them to stay in the government service lest they go to the private sector) So, if you’re going to go to government and work in a place na malayo, walang nurse, i-allow ka ng PRC since you are a four-year graduate (..in a far place where there are no nurses, and you will be allowed by PRC since you are a four-year graduate),” Herbosa stressed. Last October, Tolentino filed Senate Bill 1447, or the proposed “Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022.” The proposed legislation basically aims to increase the ranks of better-trained, better-compensated, and better-appreciated nurses. The senator noted that providing local nurses with better compensation and training would play a vital role in achieving a more efficient access to Universal Health Care (UHC) for every Filipino.
Sen. Francis Tolentino (Senate PRIB Photo)
"In the next budget cycle, will the DOH propose upgrades so that our nurses will not leave the country)?” Tolentino asked Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who was the main guest during the senator’s weekly radio program on DZRH. “Papaano natin ma-enganyo ang ating mga kababayang nurses na gusto natin matulungang huwag muna umalis sa Pilipinas (How will we convince our nurses not to leave the county)?" Tolentino added. According to Tolentino, the main problem hounding the local nursing industry has always been the issue of their compensation, whether they are working in the government or in private medical facilities, regardless. He said there really is a wide gap between salaries of nurses here and those in medical facilities overseas, and that's why most of them have no choice but to seek greener pastures abroad or, worse, seek a different career path. For his part, Herbosa agreed with Tolentino’s observation, saying that he is currently in talks with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to somehow relax the licensing rules to allow the employment of nurses in government health facilities, especially the fresh graduates. “Ang problema, ang Civil Service natin allows only licensed nurse to work in the health sector in the government (The problem is that the Civil Service Commission only allows licensed nurses to work in the health sector of the government). Actually, nakausap ko na ang PRC (Actually, I have already talked to the Professional Regulations Commission). Kinausap ko na mabigyan ng temporary license for three years if they have graduated nursing to work in the government (I asked PRC to issue temporary license for three years if they have graduated nursing to work in the government). Sa gobyerno lang muna tayo kasi mahirap kung palawakin natin sa private at baka doon naman sa private pumunta (I want them to stay in the government service lest they go to the private sector) So, if you’re going to go to government and work in a place na malayo, walang nurse, i-allow ka ng PRC since you are a four-year graduate (..in a far place where there are no nurses, and you will be allowed by PRC since you are a four-year graduate),” Herbosa stressed. Last October, Tolentino filed Senate Bill 1447, or the proposed “Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022.” The proposed legislation basically aims to increase the ranks of better-trained, better-compensated, and better-appreciated nurses. The senator noted that providing local nurses with better compensation and training would play a vital role in achieving a more efficient access to Universal Health Care (UHC) for every Filipino.