PH has a shortage of 190,000 healthcare workers, says DOH

SEEKING BETTER SALARY / JUNE 27, 2023 Healthcare workers from the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) and National Children’s Hospital (NCH) hold a noise barrage protest in front of the POC in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 to urge the Marcos administration for pay hike. The protestors demand for the 33K entry salary to all public and private health workers in the country, immediate release of owed COVID-19 allowances and performance-based bonus. (INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — There is a shortage of 190,000 healthcare workers in the Philippines, said Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday.

Herbosa met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang.

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“We have about a 190,000 needed to actually fill in the gaps of our health care system – that’s with the net flow, ‘no? Iyong mga nag-migrate at iyong mga nag-OFW (overseas Filipino workers), plus iyong nagga-graduate from our schools,” said Herbosa in a Palace briefing.

(We have about a 190,000 needed to actually fill in the gaps of our health care system – that’s with the net flow, right? Those who are migrating and the OFWs, plus those who are graduating from our schools.)

Herbosa said to help address this gap, the government’s program for healthcare associates is ongoing.

The DOH Secretary also said the Private Sector Advisory Council is providing scholarships to nurses and healthcare workers.