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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health has already hired a total of 8,056 healthcare workers under its emergency recruitment program to augment medical leaders fighting the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic.
According to the Secretary of Health, Francisco Duque III, this figure as of September 12 represents 75.34 percent of the 10,693 vacancies for doctors, nurses and other health workers in the program that began in mid-April.
“We continue to call on people with medical training to join the effort. Let’s save the people. Someone’s mom or dad, son or daughter, spouse or siblings need critical care, ”Duque said in a statement Tuesday.
“We would like to express our appreciation to the courageous healthcare workers who heeded the call to serve and
protect our patients, and we call for more front-line doctors to join us in the fight against COVID-19, ”added the Chief of Health.
According to Duque, about 43 percent of those hired were sent to public hospitals under the DOH, 17 percent were sent to laboratories or COVID-19 diagnostic facilities, and 15 percent were sent to isolation and quarantine sites or temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.
Meanwhile, 12 percent were sent to local government units and other hospitals, and seven percent were sent to COVID-19 referral centers.
Nurses account for the highest number of hires by profession with 2701 people, followed by medical technologists with 1,356.
“The Department of Budget and Management allocated P1.74 billion for the emergency hiring program that would have translated into an average salary of P163.146 over an average salary for four months from mid-April to August,” Duque said.
Most of the funds representing P1.58 billion went to COVID-19 referral hospitals, DOH-designated diagnostic facilities and public hospitals, according to the official.
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What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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