DOH chief meets with PRC, Board of Nurses to discuss nurse shortage issue
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa met with officials from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Nursing to discuss solutions to the country's nurse shortage.
Photo courtesy of Ted Herbosa Facebook
In a media conference on Friday, June 23, Herbosa stated that officials from said agencies expressed their support for his agenda to solve the "brain drain" in the government's healthcare system. "I met with the Professional Regulation Commission commissioners and the Board of Nursing, and they understand my view and they are there to help me find solutions," he said. "There are still many options despite legal limitations, which I understand. However, it’s good to know they are with me to find the solutions to the 4,500 unfilled nurse items in DOH [Department of Health] hospitals," he added. On Thursday, the PRC advised that issuing temporary licenses to nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam is not allowed by the law. "Wala[ng] probisyon na nag bibigay ng kapangyarihan ang PRC o any government agency na mag bigay ng temporary license sa mga nursing graduates na hindi pa naka pasa ng nurse licensure examination (There is no provision that allows the PRC or any government agency to issue temporary licenses to nursing graduates who have not yet passed the nurse licensure examination), PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto, Jr. said in a public briefing. Herbosa noted that the commission is not entirely against the initiative but is very supportive and is also helping him solve the problem. One of the measures that DOH and PRC are studying is the amendment to Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, but the president has to declare it "urgent" to be pushed through, Herbosa said. A "nursing assistant" position will also be opened for nursing graduates who are yet to pass the board. Herbosa is set to meet with Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to formally talk on the issue.
Photo courtesy of Ted Herbosa Facebook
In a media conference on Friday, June 23, Herbosa stated that officials from said agencies expressed their support for his agenda to solve the "brain drain" in the government's healthcare system. "I met with the Professional Regulation Commission commissioners and the Board of Nursing, and they understand my view and they are there to help me find solutions," he said. "There are still many options despite legal limitations, which I understand. However, it’s good to know they are with me to find the solutions to the 4,500 unfilled nurse items in DOH [Department of Health] hospitals," he added. On Thursday, the PRC advised that issuing temporary licenses to nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam is not allowed by the law. "Wala[ng] probisyon na nag bibigay ng kapangyarihan ang PRC o any government agency na mag bigay ng temporary license sa mga nursing graduates na hindi pa naka pasa ng nurse licensure examination (There is no provision that allows the PRC or any government agency to issue temporary licenses to nursing graduates who have not yet passed the nurse licensure examination), PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto, Jr. said in a public briefing. Herbosa noted that the commission is not entirely against the initiative but is very supportive and is also helping him solve the problem. One of the measures that DOH and PRC are studying is the amendment to Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, but the president has to declare it "urgent" to be pushed through, Herbosa said. A "nursing assistant" position will also be opened for nursing graduates who are yet to pass the board. Herbosa is set to meet with Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to formally talk on the issue.
READ:
['Nursing assistant' position proposed for unlicensed nurses: Herbosa](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/23/nursing-assistant-position-proposed-for-unlicensed-nurses-herbosa)