Senators seek new measures to stop exodus of Filipino nurses

By Wilnard Bacelonia

June 14, 2023, 9:23 pm

<p><em>(File photo)</em></p>

(File photo)

 
MANILA – Two Senators are pushing for measures that will uplift the welfare of Filipino nurses and encourage them to stay in the Philippines instead of working overseas.
 
In an interview over One PH on Wednesday, Sen. Francis Tolentino said it would take around 23 years for the Philippines to solve its shortage of healthcare professionals, noting also that even the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) have said that a lot of medical workers have been choosing to work abroad to avail of higher salaries.
 
He, thus, called for the passage of Senate Bill 1447 or the proposed Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022, which introduces a new provision on the so-called Advanced Practice Nurse or APN, which according to Tolentino "will be the prime mover" of the nursing profession in relation to the Universal Health Care Act.
 
"Talagang napakarami pong nangingibang bansa tayong mga kababayan taun-taon at hindi lang po nurses yan, kasama na rin dyan ang lahat ng medical practitioners (A lot of Filipinos choose to work abroad yearly not only nurses, but also all kinds of medical practitioners)," he said.
 
SBN 1447 also seeks to provide improvements in the practice of the nursing profession by instituting measures to promote comprehensive and relevant nursing practice standards, ensure decent working conditions and support the professional growth of nurses.
 
Meanwhile, Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go is also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 191 or the Advanced Nursing Education bill, which aims to bolster the educational opportunities available to nurses by ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare sector.
 
In a recent interview, he said nurses in private hospitals continue to have low pay despite the fact that  some of these hospitals collect high fees from their patients, who, because of their capacity to pay, doesn’t complaint of the bills anymore. 
 
He said that because of the low pay, Filipino nurses are discouraged to work in the country and choose to work abroad. 
 
He said fair and competitive salaries are crucial to attracting and retaining talented nurses in the country.
 
He, however, said that he also understands that hospitals, especially those in underserved areas, often face financial constraints that can hinder their ability to offer competitive compensation packages. (PNA)

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