MANILA, Philippines – Upon returning to work on Monday, May 8, House lawmakers addressed a question that ignited social media discourse during their month-long recess: How can the government convince Filipino health care workers to stay?
The Department of Health previously said that the Philippines was seeing an annual shortage of 127,000 nurses and 114,000 doctors. “Health care workers here are overworked. Their salaries are low and delayed, their benefits are lacking, and their rights are violated. Who would be encouraged to stay in the Philippines if they are not being valued enough?” asked Castro.Vergara also proposed that health care workers be given more competitive wages, but did not provide a number.
Vergara wants the Philippines to work on its bilateral relations with other countries so that the latter would abide by the World Health Organization Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.details how destination and source countries can benefit from the international migration of health personnel, such as support for training, effective technical assistance, access to specialized trainings, and twinning of health facilities.