Despite the easing of restrictions to revive the economy, there is general agreement that the pandemic is far from over. So every effort must be made to keep, if not increase, the health professionals who are manning the COVID frontlines.

Unfortunately, the exodus of healthcare workers particularly nurses continues, and is expected to increase as deployment restrictions are eased, according to hospital operators. The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. has warned that in the past three weeks alone, its members have lost about five percent of their nurses. PHAPI warned that at the rate nurses are leaving for jobs overseas, health facilities in the country could be paralyzed within six months.

In this unprecedented public health crisis, healthcare workers have faced the highest risk – not only of getting COVID but also infecting members of their household. Over 100 doctors, nurses and other HCWs have died of COVID, according to official records. The infection risks combined with the long hours and modest pay have led to HCW shortages in both private and government hospitals.