Fear of the Known: Rise of the Crisis Among Healthcare Providers

By JASMINE M. HONORIO
07 OCTOBER 2020

There is a severe nursing shortage in the Philippines, as many of their colleagues have either
contracted COVID-19 or left a field that was already chronically understaffed before the
outbreak. As a result of the delta variance, illnesses are spreading rapidly throughout the country,
and health officials estimate that there is a nursing shortage of over 100,000 people, forcing
those who remain to work long hours for low pay on often insecure short-term contracts. With
such a severe shortage, nurses must struggle with psychological swings and infectious concerns
within their workforce, as well as a paucity of available beds and medical supplies such as
personal protective equipment. While the Philippines exports a large number of nurses, the
country's hospitals and health care facilities are chronically understaffed. Nonetheless, these
difficulties in communicating significance to healthcare practitioners are manageable and
treatable.

COVID caseloads in the Philippines are at an all-time high, owing to the delta form's high
transmissibility. Nurses on the verge of exhaustion have organized rallies and threatened mass
resignations if government funds are not received by September 1. The Philippine government
set aside specific risk allowances for health care employees during the pandemic's spread last
year, including hazard pay and funding for housing and transportation. Unions representing
health care employees, on the other hand, complain that promised benefits and compensation
have been withheld.

"Health care professionals are exhausted and discouraged. Numerous individuals have already
resigned, and many more are contemplating it." Jao Clumia, head of the union at St. Luke's
Medical Center, one of the largest private hospitals in the city, corroborated this.

The compensation dispute originates from a rule that states that incentives are given exclusively
to health care staff who are actively involved in the care of COVID patients. On the other hand,
health care workers argue that this rule is illogical and unjust.

Numerous hospitals increased their bed capacity early this year out of fear of being swamped by
a pandemic virus. According to official records, more than 70% of coronavirus ward and
intensive care unit beds are occupied nationwide, as daily cases frequently surpass 20,000,
propelled by the extremely contagious delta form.

"Certain nurses work 12-hour shifts and have up to twenty patients under their care. They forego
meals and restroom breaks to conserve funds for personal protection equipment. All of these
factors contribute to their increased risk of contracting COVID and their fear of infection. Their
labor circumstances had degraded to the point of becoming inhumane "DW, as Abenojar
remarked.
The government has the funds, but the health department does not prioritize health care worker
benefits and compensation. Nurses in the Philippines have been fighting for greater salaries for
nearly two decades. Now we see how these vocations are undervalued and how desperately we
need them. As the pandemic spreads, nurses are calling for long-term solutions that recognize
health care employees as the industry's backbone.

Priority should be given by the government to enhancing healthcare pay and benefits. As
guaranteed by the state, healthcare employees' requests are acceptable. Numerous unfunded
statutes are prevalent in the Philippines. "Since the late 1990s, the Health Department's funding
has been stable. If the budget remains steady, there are no other means to finance the
compensation increase."

On March 25, 2020, the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act" (RA 11469) became law, declaring a
state of national emergency throughout the Philippines and conferring increased authority on the
President to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic.

It is advised to have a disaster plan for pandemics that will guide nurses before, during, and after
any health-related crisis. Additionally, it is advised that a strategy for nursing forces be
developed, as nurses are the largest healthcare group and are critical healthcare workers with
extremely defined and vital tasks. Additionally, we must guarantee that nurses respond
efficiently to pandemics and that all necessary medical equipment, such as PPE, are available to
assist keep nurses and patients safe. 

Healthcare providers are adamant about the importance of increased action over words. A critical
evaluation of the healthcare system and individuals accountable for policy changes is required
immediately. The crux of this issue is that the government should place a premium on the
healthcare system in particular. They must begin by raising the pay grade of our healthcare
providers, which also contributes to the country's healthcare immigrant population. Contrary to
popular belief, many people traveled during this pandemic in search of a better way of life.

References:

AFP-JIJI (2020, 18 September) 'Burned out': Philippine nurses battle COVID-19 and
resignations. The Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/09/18/asia-
pacific/philippines-health-care-workers/

Al Thobaity A., Alshammari F. (2020) Nurses on the Frontline against the COVID-19 Pandemic:
An Integrative Review. https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/509361

Magsambol, B. (2020, 06 May) Low pay, high risk: The reality of nurses in the
Philippines. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/salary-nurses-philippines