After graduation, is definitely one of the most challenging
phase in one’s life. It will of course, give a peace of mind, that one will be
finally free from the hustle and bustle of a student’s life. And the thought of finally being liberated
from academics responsibility is now a dream come true. But after sometime,
most graduates would feel at lost, especially if they cannot find any jobs.
Here in the Philippines, not only nurses suffer this kind of dilemma, many
people graduates, but it seems that jobs for these individuals are hard to
grasp. But to think of it, there are countless things that needs to be fixed in
our own country, meaning more people are needed to work in order to have those
goals achieved.
Sad truth is, it is
very hard for Filipino’s to look for what they may say good jobs. What do I
mean? Well, for instance nurses like me, are unable to be designated to
hospitals after graduation with righteous compensation. Even though most of
these nurses’ families had already invested their family’s entire livelihood
just to have their children finish with the said degree, after graduation they
face the dilemma of not being hired immediately as a nurse, and must undergo
the volunteer stage even though the Republic Act 9418: Volunteer Act of 2007
was promulgated a long time ago and it has been mandated by the Department of
Health Secretary Enrique T. ONA to terminate all Nursing Volunteer Programs. To
be honest still, most hospitals in present are not following the said
mandate. The fact that most nurses, are
still volunteers, even though let’s say that it has been their choice of being
volunteer nurses. But the bottom line is that, if there is a mandate that will
prohibit the hospitals to keep nurses as volunteers for more than three months
and giving them only specific hours of duty as volunteers, since of course they
are not paid at all. It would at least be justifiable for volunteer nurses to
work in such setting. But in reality, volunteer nurses are being working not at
an 8-hours shift but rather 12-hours to
a 16-hour shift without pay or the worst without any allowance. And as for those
who are already hired as staff nurses, it is shocking that hospitals would only
compensate these professionals with unbelievable salaries, some would only
range from 6,000- and if lucky around 12,000 pesos monthly or more. And to
think, that these professionals are almost the levels of doctors when it comes
to healthcare, they deserve a higher compensation than this.
And as per RA 9173 From Section 32. Salary. - In order to enhance the
general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of nurses the
minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health institutions shall not
be lower than salary grade 15 prescribes under Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise
known as the "Compensation and Classification Act of 1989": Provided, That for nurses working in
local government units, adjustments to their salaries shall be in accordance
with Section 10 of the said law.
And the penalty?
Well, it’s clearly stated in ARTICLE VIII:
Penal and Miscellaneous Provisions Section 35. Prohibitions in the Practice of Nursing. -
A fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than One
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1)
year nor more than six (6) years, or both, upon the discretion of the court,
shall be imposed upon:
(c) any person or
employer of nurses who violate the minimum base pay of nurses and the
incentives and benefits that should be accorded them as specified in Sections
32 and 34…;
It is very much clear that most institutions are not
following the Law, it is but dismaying to realize that these institutions are
being managed by professionals as well, they should be more observant of the law.
What if by any chance, they will be found out of this practice? By all means
they will not be held as innocent because of their ignorance. But rather guilty, because they should be
aware of the laws that will affect their institution as a responsible citizen.
Another issue is that these health workers, who are the
front-liners do not have any health insurance at all. It should be mandatory
for hospitals to have all of the health workers that may be categorized as
front-liners to have a health insurance. Isn’t it ironic, that those who are
literally exposed face to face with pathogens and disease, do not even have any
health insurance as a backup if any case they also acquire illnesses?
However, it has been mandated by RA 9173 as well for
institutions to provide free healthcare services to their nurses and their
dependents as well. Stated clearly as:
Section 34. Incentives and Benefits. - The
Board of Nursing, in coordination with the Department of Health and other
concerned government agencies, association of hospitals and the accredited
professional organization shall establish an incentive and benefit system in
the form of free hospital care for nurses and their dependents, scholarship
grants and other non-cash benefits. The government and private hospitals are
hereby mandated to maintain the standard nurse-patient ratio set by the
Department of Health.
So again, it is very much clear that nurses have a health
security in terms of being hospitalized. But is it being followed? We’ll see.. J
It is tragic indeed,
that our country definitely has major problems when it comes to Healthcare, I
would say in all aspects. Our leaders should be more vigilant in their decision,
that is all I can say for now. Because what we sow, we will definitely also
reap in the future.
