Filipino Nurses in Vienna celebrated 30

years of service in Austria

A dozen of Pinoy nurses who arrived in Vienna in the early 80’s celebrated on
November 19, 2011 their 30th anniversary with anniversary party and thanksgiving at
the Hilton Hotel Danube.

Organiser Mrs. Alma Confessor, told ABS-CBN News, “It was on November 17, 1981
when we arrived in Vienna. We are all proud to be one of the group of Filipino
nurses working in Austria and we thanked the Philippine and the Austrian
government for their effort in giving us the opportunity to practice our profession
here.”

“We have been very

happy here, although we
miss our families and
friends back home. We
received a warm
welcome from our
colleagues in the health
service and from our
patients,” Tess Jacobe,
also a part of the group,
said.

Some of the members of

the group reminisced their first years in the foreign land.
“We had difficulties in the language and we were homesick but we coped with all the
obstacles that came on our way. Our group of 1981 and colleagues and friends
continue to keep in touch as part of a big family,” Blezil Torres related ABS-CBN
News.

Filipino priest in the city likewise praised the services of the nurses in the Austrian
health sector during the past 30 years. “The Filipino nurses were quickly appreciated
for their gentle caring attitude and their joyful generosity to the patients. Their strong
Catholic faith and family life is an inspiration to everyone,” Fr. Efren Javier
commented.

Philippine Ambassador to Austria Hon. Lourdes Yparraguirre attended the event.

Ambassador Yparraguirre commended them for their philanthropic activities, not only
in Austria but also in the Philippines. The group has been supporting some charitable
sectors in the country.

The Ambassador likewise expressed her gratitude to the services of Filipinos in the
health sector not only in Vienna but also in the whole country

“From the small group of nurses from the Philippines more than three decades ago,
the Filipino community today has grown into one with a potential to be an effective
channel for enriching the cultural make-up of its adopted country, and deepening the
bilateral relations between the Philippines and Austria. Thank you so much for the
many years of valuable work in the Austrian health sector,” the Ambassador said.

The memorable event was also a reunion for the nurses because they were able to
meet up with friends who had gone on to work in other hospitals but rejoined them for
the celebration.

Filipino nurses in Austria first arrived in the early 1970s and were among the first
migrants from the Philippines. Today, Filipino nurses are among the most respected
medical professionals in Austria. The Philippine and Austrian government entered an
agreement to send health workers in the country during that time when there was a
national shortage of hospital and clinic staff. Soon the Filipino nurses became known
for their friendly kindliness to patients.

About 90% of the total population of Filipinos in Austria are working as nurses,
midwives in hospitals and old folks homes all-over the country.

Hector Pascua, ABNS-CBN News, Austria