DOH: RN Heals addresses nurses' shortage

THE Department of Health (DOH) is deploying at least 180 registered nurses and midwives under the agency's RN HEALS program in the different areas of Zamboanga del Sur, a top health official said.

RN Heals, which stands for Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service, is aimed to address the shortage of skilled and experienced nurses in rural and un-served or underserved communities for a period of one year.

DOH Regional Director Dr. Teogenes Baluma said the registered nurses and midwives, who will serve under the program, will be deployed this month in the different areas of Zamboanga del Sur.

Zamboanga del Sur comprises of one city and 26 towns, which are further divided into 681 villages and with a population of 959,658 as of 2010.

Baluma said that the nurses and midwives have already undergone and completed a three-day pre-deployment orientation, a requisite before they will be deployed.

The 180 registered nurses and midwives represent Batch 4 for the Rural Health Team Placement Program (RHTPP) cum training for deployment this month in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Baluma said the RN HEALS program seeks to make essential health services available to all Filipinos by training and deploying unemployed nurses in the different communities.

The DOH is the agency that identifies communities for the program in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Baluma added.

Each of the nurses and midwives who will work under the RN Heals will received P8,000 monthly allowance each from the health department, he said.

The local government unit where they are assigned shall supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide them modest board and lodging, he said.

The host LGUs are also encouraged to provide them at least P2,000 additional allowances and benefits of at least P2,000 for these nurses, Baluma said. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)