NEW ARMY NURSES. Newly-recruited nurses of the Philippine Army (PA) take their oath in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday (April 15, 2020). These nurses will be assigned in various (PA) medical facilities that serve as patient care centers for coronavirus disease 2019 cases. (Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)
MANILA – The Philippine Army on Wednesday announced the deployment of its 55 newly recruited nurses to various PA facilities tapped to help the government in its ongoing campaign to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Col. Ramon Zagala, PA spokesperson, said the nurses will be assigned as members of the Army medical team, which are deployed in various Covid-19 treatment facilities including the Army Wellness Center, Rizal Medical Complex and at the Army General Hospital (AGH).
He added that the first batch of 16 nurses was assigned at the AGH since last week.
On the other hand, the second batch of 39 nurses, who took oath Wednesday, started their three-day training on Covid-19 response, as well as orientation on the military organization.
Specifically, the PA provided the recruits with lectures and workshops on the PA Health Service, Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Covid-19 Disease, Basic Infection Control (use of PPE (personal protective equipment), donning and doffing of PPE, hand hygiene, wastes disposal, control of traffic and movement in the clinical area), Basic Nursing Procedures (administration of injections, care of patients with mechanical ventilators, and nursing documentation).
On the military side, they were given orientation on the specific military duties and responsibilities, military courtesy, etiquette, and discipline, he added.
Since the recruitment follows a special call for enlistment, they will still undergo the basic military training and will be part of the regular force deployed in the different Military Treatment Facilities (Station Hospitals and/or Medical Dispensaries) after the pandemic.
Further, fully qualified individuals are priorities for application for commissionship either in the Nurse Corps or Regular Officer Corps.
They will be enlisted for an initial one term or three years.
“This national health emergency calls us for an immediate response to help those who are in need. The Army is grateful for our front-liners who took the challenge and risks their lives in the service of the Filipino people,” Zagala said. (PNA)
