Healthcare workers assist a senior citizen get inoculated against COVID-19 in a vaccination facility in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. (Photo courtesy of the Ilocos Norte provincial government)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) should fast track the release of the compensation of healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19, a party-list group member seeking a seat in the House of Representatives said on Wednesday.
Citing data from the DOH, the Act As One second nominee, Marcelino Arias Jr., said more than 3,000 healthcare workers in public and private hospitals had contracted COVID-19.
“It’s only fair for the government to help them in their growing list of expenses,” Arias said in a statement.
“It’s OK if most of them are asymptomatic or suffer only from mild infections. But what if it’s severe? In these trying times, we hope the government’s aid distribution is as fast as the spread of the virus,” he added.
According to the DOH, medical frontliners who contract COVID-19 are entitled to compensation in the following amounts:
- P15,000 for mild or moderate cases
- P100,000 for severe infections
- P1 million in cases of death
“No amount can really compensate for the sacrifice of our gallant frontliners. But we hope the government can support them in their expenses while on sickbay,” Arias said.
READ: DOH starts release of compensation for virus-hit health workers