Nurses at work in a COVID-19 ward in 2021. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Friday said he met with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Nursing to come up with a solution to fill out the nursing vacancies in government hospitals.
The meeting came following his proposal to allow those who failed to pass the nursing licensure examination to qualify for a special permit and practice entry-level positions in government hospitals.
The PRC, on Thursday, however, said no law allows Herbosa to issue special permits to unlicensed nurses.
“I met with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) commissioners and the Board of Nursing, and they understand my view, and they are there to help me find solutions,” said Herbosa in a statement.
“There are still many options despite legal limitations, which I understand. However, it’s good to know they are with me to find the solutions to the 4,500 unfilled nurse items in DOH (Department of Health) hospitals,” he added.
Herbosa said the Board of Nursing also gave him suggestions on how to solve Philippine nurses’ migration problem.
He also thanked Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and PRC Commissioner Charito Zamora, who he said are helping him find legal ways to solve the manpower shortage in DOH hospitals.