House Committee on Labor and Employment chairperson Representative Fidel Nograles has expressed his support to the Department of Health’s (DOH) plan to create a National Nursing Advisory Council (NNAC) to address the issues confronting the nursing sector.
Rizal Fourth District Rep. Fidel Nograles (MB File Photo)
"We support the creation of such a council, so long as we ensure that all stakeholders are fairly and adequately represented," Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said in a statement on Wednesday, June 28. “We should have a dialogue first, then craft a workable strategy to address the shortage, with the view towards implementing a long-term solution instead of temporary measures,” Nograles said. Earlier, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced the proposed creation of the advisory council, which came on the heels of an earlier pronouncement of a plan to employ unlicensed nursing graduates to augment the number of nurses in government hospitals. The proposal, however, was met with concerns from various sectors, particularly stakeholders in the medical sector. Nevertheless, Nograles commended the DOH chief for making the announcement saying it is a show of humility on the part of the secretary. But he said the DOH should first conduct a dialogue among stakeholders before implementing such policies. “Secretary Herbosa is showing us that he is willing to listen to the stakeholders of his sector. I do hope that the creation of the NNAC will pave the way towards our finally resolving the various issues that hound the nursing sector,” the solon said. “Ultimately, this should be about achieving the perfect harmony between workers' welfare and the interest of public health,” he added. Nograles also said he is willing to be part of the council. “Sa gayon, kung kakailanganin ng batas, makakapag-responde na tayo agad (So that if there is a need to craft a law, we can immediately respond),” the lawmaker said.
Rizal Fourth District Rep. Fidel Nograles (MB File Photo)
"We support the creation of such a council, so long as we ensure that all stakeholders are fairly and adequately represented," Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said in a statement on Wednesday, June 28. “We should have a dialogue first, then craft a workable strategy to address the shortage, with the view towards implementing a long-term solution instead of temporary measures,” Nograles said. Earlier, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced the proposed creation of the advisory council, which came on the heels of an earlier pronouncement of a plan to employ unlicensed nursing graduates to augment the number of nurses in government hospitals. The proposal, however, was met with concerns from various sectors, particularly stakeholders in the medical sector. Nevertheless, Nograles commended the DOH chief for making the announcement saying it is a show of humility on the part of the secretary. But he said the DOH should first conduct a dialogue among stakeholders before implementing such policies. “Secretary Herbosa is showing us that he is willing to listen to the stakeholders of his sector. I do hope that the creation of the NNAC will pave the way towards our finally resolving the various issues that hound the nursing sector,” the solon said. “Ultimately, this should be about achieving the perfect harmony between workers' welfare and the interest of public health,” he added. Nograles also said he is willing to be part of the council. “Sa gayon, kung kakailanganin ng batas, makakapag-responde na tayo agad (So that if there is a need to craft a law, we can immediately respond),” the lawmaker said.