'Kailangan kayo ng ating bansa': DOH urges Pinoy nurses to work in PH
Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Eric Tayag urged Filipino licensed nurses to work in the country to fill the nurse shortage in public and private hospitals.
"Nasaan kayo? Kailangan kayo ng ating bansa. Pumunta na kayo sa amin sapagkat hinihintay namin kayo sa matagal na panahon at maaaring ito na po ang pagkakataon na ang mga nurses po ay maglilingkod po sa mga ospital hindi lamang sa pampubliko maging sa mga pribadong ospital (Where are you? Our country needs you. Come to us because we have been waiting for you for a long time, and this may be the opportunity for nurses to serve in hospitals not only public but also private)," he said in a media briefing on Monday, July 17.
Tayag also expressed hope that nurses will apply for available job vacancies in the Philippines; however, he admitted that they cannot really "force" them to stay and work in the country.
"Hindi naman natin sila puwedeng maipilit kasi may mga gusto sila mangyari sa buhay nila (We cannot force them because there are things they want to happen in their lives)," he said.
Vacant plantilla items in government hospitals
DOH Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa had previously advised that over 4,500 vacant plantilla items in government hospitals are open to licensed nurses. He also announced the creation of a "nursing advisory council" to be led by a "chief nursing officer" who will supervise and address issues concerning nurses."READ:
[Herbosa eyes appointment of 'chief nursing officer'](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/26/herbosa-eyes-appointment-of-chief-nursing-officer)