Bill seeks to stem exodus of gov’t medical workers

MANILA, Philippines — Government doctors, nurses and medical workers would be entitled to better pay and benefits if a bill pending in the House of Representatives is passed into law.

House Bill 5571 seeks to entice such medical workers to stay in the government service and stay their exodus to greener pastures abroad.

"Our country has been experiencing a brain drain of physicians, nurses and other medical workers who are leaving to work abroad primarily because of higher pay being offered there," author Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) said in an article on the House of Representatives website (www.congress.gov.ph).

Rodriguez said such exodus has already diminished the quality of hospital care and has even forced the closure of a number of hospitals.

He added that the migration of doctors and nurses have a vast impact on the country's health care system since those who go abroad are usually those with more experience, training and skill.

"A higher incidence of cross-infections, adverse events after surgery, accidents, injuries and even increased violence against the staff could happen due to the brain drain of physicians, nurses and other medical workers," Rodriguez said.

"This is an alarming phenomenon because it augments the already existing shortage of health care workers who are crucial to the adequate delivery of basic health services," he added.

Compounding the impact of the nursing drain is that even doctors are also taking nursing courses now in the hope of going abroad, he said.

This is worsening the shortage of healthcare workers in many parts of the country, he lamented. - GMANews.TV

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