DOH speaks up for 80,393 sacked health workers

The Department of Health (DOH) has called on Congress to prioritize the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers after the “unjust” dismissal of some 80,000 by newly elected village officials.

The DOH said a joint memorandum circular of the DOH and the Department of the Interior and Local Government protected trained barangay health workers against “politically motivated and unjust removal” from their posts by barangay chairpersons.

But 80,393 barangay health workers were removed “without due process” by some barangay officials who won in the Oct. 30 polls.

The DOH said the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers would help protect health workers and urged Congress to hasten its passage.

The House of Representatives approved the bill on third reading and transmitted it to the Senate in December last year.

But the Senate committee, chaired by Sen. Christopher Go has not acted on the measure.

In a statement to reporters, the DOH pointed out the role of barangay health workers “as one of the most critical cadres” in the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.

If enacted into law, the Magna Carta would “further ensure that the rights of our (barangay health workers are protected against unjust removal by barangay captains.”

The measure aims to “promote the welfare” of barangay health workers through the provision of incentives and benefits, such as monthly honoraria, hazard and transportation allowances, insurance coverage, mandated leave credits, and other benefits. —Kathleen de villa

READ: Village health workers being sacked ‘without due process’