FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2009
‘GREEN VISAYAS IS THE GOAL’
Dumaguete City – “If Metro Manila can go green, we are sure the Visayas can go greener.” This is the challenged posed by Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury of Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) in the 2nd Healthcare Waste Management Summit: Pollution-Free Philippines through Effective, Efficient, Equitable Management of Healthcare Waste: a Visayas-wide Initiative.
Ferrer gave an update of the Department of Health (DoH)’s Administrative Order 21 which aims for the gradual phase-out of all mercury-containing devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010. A measure supported globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) which has an initiative with HCWH aiming to substitute mercury-based medical devices by 2017.
“Mercury pollution is by far one of the worst in the world. Mercury is a neurotoxin meaning it targets the brain and the most vulnerable population are women and children,” she said.
In September 2008, DoH issued AO 21 and to date, more than 50 hospitals have phased-out or are phasing out mercury devices in hospitals.
“Even with these 50 hospitals, we cannot say that the implementation of the AO is satisfactory.”
In February this year, HCWH-SEA conducted a survey of 100 hospitals in Metro Manila. Only 40 hospitals have responded—22 public and 18 private.
Result says that of the 40 hospitals, 80% received a copy of the AO from the DoH. “This is much lower that what we are expecting in Metro Manila since they are closest to the main office of the DoH,” said Ferrer.
Additionally, survey says 77.5% have discontinued the use of mercury thermometer but only 55% have conducted the mercury audit.
“A mercury audit is a necessity. Before we can phase-out mercury devices and replace them with alternatives, we at least need to know how many more devices we need to replace,” Ferrer added.
“And far worst, of the 40 respondents, only 42.5% have done a minimization plan and only 20% have prepared a new purchasing policy requiring vendors to sign a mercury-content disclosure agreement,” she exclaimed.
She added, “we hope that the implementation in the Visayas region will be better than this.
“We do not want to wait for the 2017 global target. We have AO 21, our aim is to phase-out in 2010 or earlier.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Green Father's Day with Albert Martinez
June 20, 2009
GREEN FATHER’S DAY
Celeb dad Albert Martinez on why greening health care is the best gift
Manila - On Father’s Day, Celebrity dad Albert Martinez gives reasons why he is supporting environmental health non-government organization, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) and why pushing for a greener health care is one of the best gifts a dad can give to his children.
“It is Father’s Day, the norm usually is for my son and daughters to buy me a present. But I instead opted to be the gift-giver,” said Martinez, one of highly-acclaimed actors in the Philippines.
Martinez is the 2nd artiste to show support to international group, HCWH-SEA. The 1st one is VJ Juddha Paolo who joined the group in several forums on environmental health and starred in Make the Switch and First, Do No Harm video campaigns which was launched at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in December.
“I share HCWH-SEA’s motto, First, Do No Harm. In this day and age when everything we consume seems to bring our planet closer to death, I, as a dad, would do everything I can to preserve this world as I remember it when I was a kid.
“Sadly and surprisingly, some of the things that are used in health care settings or hospitals instead threaten public health and the environment. Take mercury thermometers, not many people know the danger a thermometer breakage may bring,” said Martinez.
“When our kids are sick, we bring them right away to hospitals thinking it is the safest place for them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The chemicals used in a hospital and the not-so good practices there may be adding more harm to our children,” he added.
“I am not saying however that we should shun from visiting our doctors. What I am saying is for us to choose a greener hospital. And if we don’t find one in our area, let’s encourage our local hospitals to take steps towards becoming green.”
Albert’s Green Hospitals
On a random thought, a green hospital is
- Mercury-free or on its way towards it.
- Practices proper waste segregation.
- Recycle. Reduce. Reuse.
- Reduces carbon footprint thru simple steps like turning off lights that are not in use.
- Promotes healthy lifestyle.
Green Father’s Day
On Father’s Day, celeb dad Albert encourages all dads to give back to the planet.
On this day, he will probably be tending his garden (a favorite pastime) with his family, checking out green places to go to including looking for green hospitals in cases of emergency and most of all, enjoying the bounties of what is left of our green world.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.
(See attached photo)
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer, Executive Director, +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
GREEN FATHER’S DAY
Celeb dad Albert Martinez on why greening health care is the best gift
Manila - On Father’s Day, Celebrity dad Albert Martinez gives reasons why he is supporting environmental health non-government organization, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) and why pushing for a greener health care is one of the best gifts a dad can give to his children.
“It is Father’s Day, the norm usually is for my son and daughters to buy me a present. But I instead opted to be the gift-giver,” said Martinez, one of highly-acclaimed actors in the Philippines.
Martinez is the 2nd artiste to show support to international group, HCWH-SEA. The 1st one is VJ Juddha Paolo who joined the group in several forums on environmental health and starred in Make the Switch and First, Do No Harm video campaigns which was launched at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in December.
“I share HCWH-SEA’s motto, First, Do No Harm. In this day and age when everything we consume seems to bring our planet closer to death, I, as a dad, would do everything I can to preserve this world as I remember it when I was a kid.
“Sadly and surprisingly, some of the things that are used in health care settings or hospitals instead threaten public health and the environment. Take mercury thermometers, not many people know the danger a thermometer breakage may bring,” said Martinez.
“When our kids are sick, we bring them right away to hospitals thinking it is the safest place for them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The chemicals used in a hospital and the not-so good practices there may be adding more harm to our children,” he added.
“I am not saying however that we should shun from visiting our doctors. What I am saying is for us to choose a greener hospital. And if we don’t find one in our area, let’s encourage our local hospitals to take steps towards becoming green.”
Albert’s Green Hospitals
On a random thought, a green hospital is
- Mercury-free or on its way towards it.
- Practices proper waste segregation.
- Recycle. Reduce. Reuse.
- Reduces carbon footprint thru simple steps like turning off lights that are not in use.
- Promotes healthy lifestyle.
Green Father’s Day
On Father’s Day, celeb dad Albert encourages all dads to give back to the planet.
On this day, he will probably be tending his garden (a favorite pastime) with his family, checking out green places to go to including looking for green hospitals in cases of emergency and most of all, enjoying the bounties of what is left of our green world.
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, see www.noharm.org.
(See attached photo)
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer, Executive Director, +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
INTERNATIONAL ENVI-HEALTH GROUP CALLS FOR A MERCURY-FREE CAVITE
June 19, 2009
INTERNATIONAL ENVI-HEALTH GROUP CALLS FOR A MERCURY-FREE CAVITE
Dasmarinas City – After championing Metro Manila, Baguio, Davao and General Santos cities, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) this time champions Cavitenos campaigning for a mercury-free Cavite.
In a forum, Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA said that Cavite must follow suit with the rest of the Philippines in going mercury-free and promoting a greener health care and a greener environment.
“Since the time of our great grandfathers, Cavite has always been in the forefront of the country’s fight for independence. The story of the Caviteno revolutionaries has by far dominated some of our history textbooks,” Ferrer said.
“It is time Cavitenos take on another revolution—green revolution,” she added.
Green Revolution
Mercury from thermometer breakage, other health care wastes and industrial pollution are released into the air and eventually finds its way to lakes, rivers, streams and ocean.
Mercury is fatal when inhaled and harmful if absorbed through the skin. High doses of vapors released by thermometer breakage may cause lung damage. While at lower doses it is harmful to the kidney and the nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems.
“… and the worst thing about mercury is once it is released in the atmosphere, it is transported to the rest of the globe,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury.
“Veering away from mercury is a big step towards this green revolution,” she added.
In September 2008, the Department of Health (DoH) issued Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of all mercury containing devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010.
To date, more that 50 hospitals have phased-out or are phasing-out mercury.
She added however that phasing-out mercury is not confined in the Philippines and not in the hospitals alone.
In December 2008, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global initiative to substitute mercury-based medical devices with safer, accurate and affordable alternatives by 2017.
While in February this year, world environment ministers from 140 countries agreed to begin negotiating a globally binding treaty to control mercury pollution. The treaty will include actions to reduce mercury supply, its use in products and processes, and atmospheric mercury emissions.
“Schools in the Philippines are likewise seeing hopes that mercury will eventually be phased-out in the classrooms,” Ferrer added.
Green Cavite
“With Cavite’s history of leading and initiating change, it is not far off that soon we will see a greener Cavite.
In terms of greening thru green hospitals, HCWH-SEA applauds St. Paul Hospital – Cavite for its 100% mercury-free setting.
According to Sr. Arcellita Sarnillo, Administrator of Saint Paul Hospital in Cavite, “it is for hospitals like us to set good examples to the Cavite community and one way of doing this is to phase-out mercury use in health care and schools.”
“They are also to be admired for their hospital waste management which incorporates vermi composting to minimize waste while generating income for the hospital,” Ferrer added.
“If we are to pick hospitals that must be showcased around the world for its green practices, we would definitely choose St. Paul Hospital in Cavite.”
Sr. Sarnillo added that to fast-track Cavite greening, “we are calling on the DoH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cavite mayors and the governor to unite for a mercury-free Cavite. Together, we expect to paint the whole province green.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
INTERNATIONAL ENVI-HEALTH GROUP CALLS FOR A MERCURY-FREE CAVITE
Dasmarinas City – After championing Metro Manila, Baguio, Davao and General Santos cities, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) this time champions Cavitenos campaigning for a mercury-free Cavite.
In a forum, Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA said that Cavite must follow suit with the rest of the Philippines in going mercury-free and promoting a greener health care and a greener environment.
“Since the time of our great grandfathers, Cavite has always been in the forefront of the country’s fight for independence. The story of the Caviteno revolutionaries has by far dominated some of our history textbooks,” Ferrer said.
“It is time Cavitenos take on another revolution—green revolution,” she added.
Green Revolution
Mercury from thermometer breakage, other health care wastes and industrial pollution are released into the air and eventually finds its way to lakes, rivers, streams and ocean.
Mercury is fatal when inhaled and harmful if absorbed through the skin. High doses of vapors released by thermometer breakage may cause lung damage. While at lower doses it is harmful to the kidney and the nervous, digestive, respiratory and immune systems.
“… and the worst thing about mercury is once it is released in the atmosphere, it is transported to the rest of the globe,” said Faye Ferrer, HCWH-SEA Program Officer for Mercury.
“Veering away from mercury is a big step towards this green revolution,” she added.
In September 2008, the Department of Health (DoH) issued Administrative Order 21 mandating the gradual phase-out of all mercury containing devices in all Philippine hospitals by 2010.
To date, more that 50 hospitals have phased-out or are phasing-out mercury.
She added however that phasing-out mercury is not confined in the Philippines and not in the hospitals alone.
In December 2008, HCWH and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global initiative to substitute mercury-based medical devices with safer, accurate and affordable alternatives by 2017.
While in February this year, world environment ministers from 140 countries agreed to begin negotiating a globally binding treaty to control mercury pollution. The treaty will include actions to reduce mercury supply, its use in products and processes, and atmospheric mercury emissions.
“Schools in the Philippines are likewise seeing hopes that mercury will eventually be phased-out in the classrooms,” Ferrer added.
Green Cavite
“With Cavite’s history of leading and initiating change, it is not far off that soon we will see a greener Cavite.
In terms of greening thru green hospitals, HCWH-SEA applauds St. Paul Hospital – Cavite for its 100% mercury-free setting.
According to Sr. Arcellita Sarnillo, Administrator of Saint Paul Hospital in Cavite, “it is for hospitals like us to set good examples to the Cavite community and one way of doing this is to phase-out mercury use in health care and schools.”
“They are also to be admired for their hospital waste management which incorporates vermi composting to minimize waste while generating income for the hospital,” Ferrer added.
“If we are to pick hospitals that must be showcased around the world for its green practices, we would definitely choose St. Paul Hospital in Cavite.”
Sr. Sarnillo added that to fast-track Cavite greening, “we are calling on the DoH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cavite mayors and the governor to unite for a mercury-free Cavite. Together, we expect to paint the whole province green.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Faye Ferrer, Program Officer for Mercury, +63 920 9327151; faye@hcwh.org
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Forum on Mercury Elimination & Proper Storage in Cavite
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT : Mercury Elimination and Proper Storage: An
Environmental Health Issue in Cavite
WHEN : June 19, 2009, 8:00 AM
WHERE : Auditorium, St. Paul Hospital
Dasmarinas Cavite
WHY : Mercury phase-out is a global issue. It is not limited to US or Europe or to Metro Manila. Further, it is not limited to the health care setting.
Know more about the danger of mercury as we gear towards a mercury-free Philippines in 2010.
To a mercury-free Cavite!
Speakers:
Sr Arcellita Sarnillo, Administrator, Saint Paul Hospital, Cavite
Merci V. Ferrer, Executive Director, Health Care Without Harm - Southeast Asia
Faye V. Ferrer, Project Officer, Mercury- Free Health Care,
Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia
Department of Health (DoH) representative
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) representative
Office of the Mayor, Dasmarinas Cavite, representative
For more information, please contact Sonia G. Astudillo at sonia@hcwh.org; 0918-9182369
WHAT : Mercury Elimination and Proper Storage: An
Environmental Health Issue in Cavite
WHEN : June 19, 2009, 8:00 AM
WHERE : Auditorium, St. Paul Hospital
Dasmarinas Cavite
WHY : Mercury phase-out is a global issue. It is not limited to US or Europe or to Metro Manila. Further, it is not limited to the health care setting.
Know more about the danger of mercury as we gear towards a mercury-free Philippines in 2010.
To a mercury-free Cavite!
Speakers:
Sr Arcellita Sarnillo, Administrator, Saint Paul Hospital, Cavite
Merci V. Ferrer, Executive Director, Health Care Without Harm - Southeast Asia
Faye V. Ferrer, Project Officer, Mercury- Free Health Care,
Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia
Department of Health (DoH) representative
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) representative
Office of the Mayor, Dasmarinas Cavite, representative
For more information, please contact Sonia G. Astudillo at sonia@hcwh.org; 0918-9182369
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
DUQUE TO ERMITA: RELEASE 100M FUND FOR MED WASTE TREATMENT
June 10, 2009
DUQUE TO ERMITA: RELEASE 100M FUND FOR MED WASTE TREATMENT
Amidst protest against Charter Change, rising number of A(H1N1) confirmed cases and the perennial problems posed by dengue and other infectious diseases, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today pressed Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita to effect release of the P100 million allocation for purchase of 16 medical waste treatment autoclaves.
The P100 million in the budget of the Department of Health (DoH) for the purchase of autoclaves for medical waste treatment is a budget item under the 2008 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act 9498).
In a letter sent to Ermita, Duque said “the release of said fund would enable these hospitals to treat regulated medical waste in accordance with national policies on health care waste management and redound to the benefit and welfare of the Filipino people.”
Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia, on the other hand, lauds this move by the Health department saying “it will not veer away the department from addressing the rising incidents of A(H1N1).
According to Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA, “management of infectious waste remains a crucial and yet unaddressed issue in A(H1N1) and other infectious diseases.
“The autoclaves for the 16 DoH-run hospitals are needed to dispose of potentially infectious waste from the virus,” she said. To date, the Philippines has 54 confirmed cases of A(H1N1).
“In the absence of a waste disinfection treatment like autoclave, people will continuously be exposed to pathogens like H1N1. Especially since a large part of the country’s medical waste ends up in dumpsites that remain open to scavengers despite laws and regulations to the contrary.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.
Attached is a copy of Sec. Dugue’s letter and the list of 16 recipient hospitals.
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer, Executive Director, +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
DUQUE TO ERMITA: RELEASE 100M FUND FOR MED WASTE TREATMENT
Amidst protest against Charter Change, rising number of A(H1N1) confirmed cases and the perennial problems posed by dengue and other infectious diseases, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today pressed Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita to effect release of the P100 million allocation for purchase of 16 medical waste treatment autoclaves.
The P100 million in the budget of the Department of Health (DoH) for the purchase of autoclaves for medical waste treatment is a budget item under the 2008 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act 9498).
In a letter sent to Ermita, Duque said “the release of said fund would enable these hospitals to treat regulated medical waste in accordance with national policies on health care waste management and redound to the benefit and welfare of the Filipino people.”
Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia, on the other hand, lauds this move by the Health department saying “it will not veer away the department from addressing the rising incidents of A(H1N1).
According to Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of HCWH-SEA, “management of infectious waste remains a crucial and yet unaddressed issue in A(H1N1) and other infectious diseases.
“The autoclaves for the 16 DoH-run hospitals are needed to dispose of potentially infectious waste from the virus,” she said. To date, the Philippines has 54 confirmed cases of A(H1N1).
“In the absence of a waste disinfection treatment like autoclave, people will continuously be exposed to pathogens like H1N1. Especially since a large part of the country’s medical waste ends up in dumpsites that remain open to scavengers despite laws and regulations to the contrary.”
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.
Attached is a copy of Sec. Dugue’s letter and the list of 16 recipient hospitals.
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo, Communications Officer, +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer, Executive Director, +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia supports RP nurses’ Indignation Rally
June 3, 2009
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia supports RP nurses’ Indignation Rally
Manila- In a bid to protest the Salary Standardization Law which covers the nurses’ salary, environmental health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia, together with the Alliance of Health Workers, Community Health Workers and some 200 nurses, today joins the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Indignation Rally in front of the Department of Health. They are calling on the President to veto the law.
“Everyday, nurses are tasked with the noble duty of taking care of the sick—ensuring patients’ comfort, facilitating their fast recovery and making sure that all patients are well taken cared of. The least the government can do is to provide the compensation they rightfully deserve,” said Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of the group.
In June 1, the Bicameral Conference approved the Salary Standardization Law which pegged the salary of nurses to Salary Grade (SG) 11 instead of Salary Grade 15 as mandated in the Nursing Law (Republic Act 9173).
At present, nurses’ entry level is SG 10 which is P12,026 (US$255). SG 11 is equivalent to P18,549 (US$394). Based on the Salary Standardization Law, the increase will be implemented over a four-year period starting July 1, 2009 which means the P6523 (US$138) increase will be spread over 4 years or a mere P1,630.75 (US$34) monthly increase per year.
“Nurses will hardly feel this increase and this is far from the Nursing Law which mandates SG 15 or P24,878 (US$528),” said Ferrer.
After tax deductions, SG 15 earners bring home only a meager P12,546 (US$266).
“As it is, SG 15 is already too small for nurses whose health is always at risk due to constant exposure to hazardous chemicals within the hospital premises,” Ferrer pointed out.
Workload is another issue. Ideally, a nurse to patient ratio is 1:15 based on Department of Health (DoH). However, current ratio is 1:40 to 80 or sometimes even 1:150 according to PNA.
“We want our nurses to serve in the country instead of choosing greener pastures abroad,” Ferrer pointed out. “Thus, we are enjoining our government to provide them a comfortable workplace with reasonable salary equivalent to the work that they do.”
Ironically, on International Nurses Day last month, 92 nurses flew to Japan as part of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) where Japan opened its doors to 400 Filipino nurses. Filipino nurses in Japan will receive a salary of around P76,000 (US$1,600) upon completion of a myriad requirements, one of which is to learn the language and pass the national board exam given in Japanese language.
“The nursing profession is a noble one. Let us give them reasons to stay in the country.” (30)
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.
Contact:
Sonia G. Astudillo +63 918 9182369, sonia@hcwh.org
Merci Ferrer +63 9209056113, merci@hcwh.org
Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia supports RP nurses’ Indignation Rally
Manila- In a bid to protest the Salary Standardization Law which covers the nurses’ salary, environmental health group Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia, together with the Alliance of Health Workers, Community Health Workers and some 200 nurses, today joins the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Indignation Rally in front of the Department of Health. They are calling on the President to veto the law.
“Everyday, nurses are tasked with the noble duty of taking care of the sick—ensuring patients’ comfort, facilitating their fast recovery and making sure that all patients are well taken cared of. The least the government can do is to provide the compensation they rightfully deserve,” said Merci Ferrer, Executive Director of the group.
In June 1, the Bicameral Conference approved the Salary Standardization Law which pegged the salary of nurses to Salary Grade (SG) 11 instead of Salary Grade 15 as mandated in the Nursing Law (Republic Act 9173).
At present, nurses’ entry level is SG 10 which is P12,026 (US$255). SG 11 is equivalent to P18,549 (US$394). Based on the Salary Standardization Law, the increase will be implemented over a four-year period starting July 1, 2009 which means the P6523 (US$138) increase will be spread over 4 years or a mere P1,630.75 (US$34) monthly increase per year.
“Nurses will hardly feel this increase and this is far from the Nursing Law which mandates SG 15 or P24,878 (US$528),” said Ferrer.
After tax deductions, SG 15 earners bring home only a meager P12,546 (US$266).
“As it is, SG 15 is already too small for nurses whose health is always at risk due to constant exposure to hazardous chemicals within the hospital premises,” Ferrer pointed out.
Workload is another issue. Ideally, a nurse to patient ratio is 1:15 based on Department of Health (DoH). However, current ratio is 1:40 to 80 or sometimes even 1:150 according to PNA.
“We want our nurses to serve in the country instead of choosing greener pastures abroad,” Ferrer pointed out. “Thus, we are enjoining our government to provide them a comfortable workplace with reasonable salary equivalent to the work that they do.”
Ironically, on International Nurses Day last month, 92 nurses flew to Japan as part of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) where Japan opened its doors to 400 Filipino nurses. Filipino nurses in Japan will receive a salary of around P76,000 (US$1,600) upon completion of a myriad requirements, one of which is to learn the language and pass the national board exam given in Japanese language.
“The nursing profession is a noble one. Let us give them reasons to stay in the country.” (30)
HCWH is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. For more information on HCWH-Southeast Asia, see www.noharm.org.
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