THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday launched a project that will hire and deploy 10,000 volunteer registered nurses to poor areas in the country.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona in a press conference said that the RN HEALS, which stands for Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service, is expected to address the shortage of skilled and experienced nurses in 1,221 rural and unserved or underserved communities in the country for one year.
“Eventually, these nurses will be part of the pool of competent nurses for later employment or absorption in health facilities, thus addressing the inadequate supply of skilled nurses and increasing the nurses’ employment rate,” Ona said.
Ona added that all registered nurses who are physically and mentally fit and willing to serve their own municipalities may apply online at the Department of Labor and Employment website www.dole.gov.ph from January 17 to February 4.
Ona said that these volunteer nurses will undergo training and development, and will be given an allowance of P8,000 a month by the Health department.
He added that the Health department has also asked local governments to provide additional allowances and benefits worth P2,000 for these nurses.
Ona said that the local government, where they will be assigned should supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging.
Besides allowances, PhilHealth and the Government Service Insurance System will be provided to the nurses.
The Labor department, however, will be responsible in the recruitment and selection of the nurses through its regional offices.
In addition, the list of successful applicants with their area of assignments shall be posted online at the Labor department website on February 7 to 10.
Prior to the nurses’ deployment, orientations will be held on February 11 to 12 in provincial centers by the regional DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Professional Regulation Commission-Board of Nursing and the Philippine Nurses Association.
Meanwhile, the Health department encourages all the nurses to file a complaint against hospitals who require fees from nurses who want to do an on the job training.
Ona said that nurses could file a complaint at the Health department’s office through letters or e-mail.
The secretary assures the confidentiality of the complainant. –Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz And Angelica Ducusin, Manila Times
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