DOH launches program to enhance PHL health services

MANILA, Philippines (PNA) -- In line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s thrust to make essential health services available to all Filipinos, especially those in geographically isolated and depressed areas, and at the same time address the problem on the glut of nurses, the Department of Health (DOH) has embarked on an aggressive program aptly called the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN HEALS).

“This effort in essence will enhance our health services with regards to the number of nurses that we have today,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.

Ona said the RN HEALS project will train and deploy 10,000 unemployed nurses in communities to be identified by the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

He added that this program is expected to address the shortage of skilled and experienced nurses in 1,221 rural and unserved or underserved communities for one year.

The RN HEALS will also address government’s efforts to fulfill its United Nations Millennium Development Goals, specifically in reducing maternal mortality from the present statistics of 162 in every 100,000 live births to the country’s target of only 52 per 100,000 live births by 2015, by bringing in health professionals in rural areas and improving birthing facilities.

Ona noted that the Philippines has an excess of around 120,000 nurses.

The program needs P850 million a year and Ona said the President has thrown his support by including the said amount in the General Appropriations Act.

The Health Secretary also said that some 60,000 nurses applied for the program but due to budgetary constraints, only 10,000 will be hired for the RN HEALS.

“Essentially, this is not an employment program but we are giving these nurses additional experience to be able to prepare themselves for further employment. They will be given priority with regards to hiring in government hospitals since the DOH is now in the process of rationalizing healthcare needs. Eventually, these nurses will be part of the pool of competent nurses for later employment or absorption in health facilities, thus addressing the inadequate supply of skilled nurses and increasing the nurses’ employment rate,” Ona concluded.

While on deployment, the nurses will be given an allowance of P8,000 a month by the DOH while the local government units (LGUs) where they are assigned shall supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging.

Likewise, LGUs are encouraged to provide additional allowances and benefits worth at least P2,000 for these nurses.

PhilHealth and the Government Service Insurance System will provide group insurance to the nurses while private corporations are encouraged to contribute through their available resources.

source: manila bulletin