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Thursday, September 23, 2004
Alarm raised over exodus of nurses
By Syril G. Repe
MILITANT women's group Gabriela warned of a possible health sector crisis in Negros Oriental with the exodus of doctors and nurses to foreign countries.
Gabriela raised the alarm even as Negros Oriental Governor George Arnaiz recently admitted in a media interview that the province will face a shortage of doctors and nurses who are flying out for better pay aboard.
Trelly Marigza, Gabriela-Negros Oriental head, categorically blamed the exodus on the national government for failing to increase the salaries of its nurses.
Quoting records, Marigza said an estimated 13,000 nurses and health professionals have left the country for "greener" pastures and that "there is no stopping of the exodus of nurses" unless the government offered good pay and incentives to health professionals.
The minimum wage in the Philippines is not even half of what is being offered for their services as caregivers or nurses abroad, she said.
Marigza said the government failed to implement the Nursing Act of 2002 that upgraded the salaries of nurses and pegged their monthly take home pay to not less than P14, 000.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ely Villapando disclosed that a number of doctors in the province had passed the Nursing Board examination and had been asking permission to leave the country before the end of this year.
At least 57 doctors finished the nursing course.
"If our government will not do anything to improve their lot here in Negros Oriental, they will surely leave. Indeed, our district hospitals, which are in dire need of medical equipment, supplies and personnel, are in danger of closing down due to lack of financial support. What is the immediate recourse of our local government now?" asked Marigza.
(September 23, 2004 issue)
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