DOH urges Filipino nurses work in PH: ‘Our country needs you’
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday called on licensed Filipino nurses to work in public and private hospitals right here in the country to fill the gap in a shortage of nurses.
“Where are you? Our country needs you. Come to us because we have been waiting for you for a long time, and maybe this is the chance that nurses will serve not only in public hospitals but also in private hospitals,” Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag, the DOH spokesperson said in Filipino in a press briefing on Monday.
According to Tayag, the DOH had previously looked into where registered but non-practicing nurses currently are, as nurses among other healthcare workers remain in demand in the country.
“We also asked because when we coordinated with the PRC [Professional Regulation Commission] and Philippine nurse associations. There are many nurses who have graduated and passed. So the question is, where are you?” Tayag said.
He admitted, however, that the DOH could force nurses to apply to local hospitals, but he said the DOH would continue to announce open job postings.
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Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa previously announced a plan to create a nursing advisory council and choose a “chief nursing officer” that would help address nursing issues.
He also noted that there were 4,500 vacant nursing positions in DOH hospitals.
