PH nurses
ADMITTEDLY, Filipino nurses, including graduates of government-owned colleges and universities, prefer to work in the United States, Germany, Canada and other foreign countries.
But what is certainly lamentable, distressing and revolting to the senses is the willingness of many of our nurses, who are mostly women, to work even as caregivers in foreign lands.
Of course, nobody can blame these Filipino professionals, knowing full well that caregivers, office workers and even domestic helpers in foreign lands receive higher pay than many of our ordinary workers in the Philippines.
“Talagang hindi mapag-aaral ng isang nurse ang kanyang mga anak sa kolehiyo kung aasa lang siya sa kanyang kakarampot na suweldo sa Pilipinas,” lamented a male nurse, who used to work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
“Kaya nga napipilitan ang marami nating nurses na mangibang-bansa na lang kesa magtrabaho bilang nars sa isang pribado o pampublikong ospital sa Pilipinas,” the former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) added.
We, thus, commend Senator Christopher “Bong ” Go for calling on his colleagues to hasten the approval of Senate Bill (SB) No. 191, or the “Advanced Nursing Education Act,” which seeks to update the nursing curriculum.
In filing the bill, Senator Go said the government ought to meet the demands of modern healthcare practices.
We agree with the lawmaker from impoverished Mindanao that the nursing profession has long been acknowledged as a strong foundation for producting competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
“The bill seeks to protect and empower the nursing profession by instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education for better career prospects and a dignified exiestence for our nurses,” according to Go.
If approved into law, SB. No. 191 will go a long way in encouraging our Filipino “Nightingales” to remain in the Philippines instead of working as caregivers, nursing aides and even domestic helpers in foreign countries.
Tama ba kami, new Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa?
