Creation of nursing advisory council gains support
A House leader has expressed full backing to the planned creation of a National Nursing Advisory Council (NNAC) to address issues confronting the sector.
Rizal Representative Fidel Nograles, chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, said he supports the creation of such a council, so long as this ensures that all stakeholders are fairly and adequately represented.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa recently announced the plan for the NNAC’s creation, which came on the heels of an earlier pronouncement of plans to employ unlicensed nursing graduates to fill the need for nurses in government hospitals.
Various sectors had raised their concern over the proposal.
In response, Nograles had urged the Department of Health to conduct a dialogue among stakeholders first before implementing such policies.
“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,” he said.
Nograles hailed Herbosa’s announcement, saying that the health official showed humility with the recent move.
“Sec. 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 finally resolving the various issues that hound the nursing sector.
“Ultimately, this should be about achieving the perfect harmony between workers’ welfare and the interest of public health,” the solon said.
He added that he is willing to be part of the council.
