In a report by GMA's 24 Oras, Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) President Lea Paquiz said that several government and private hospitals have been exploiting nurses by not filling in vacant positions instead hiring unpaid nursing trainees/volunteers and charging them at the same time.
Alarmed by this exploitative practice of hospitals, Senate health and demography committee chairperson Senator Pia Cayetano has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to shut down public and goverment hospitals found to be engaged in this 'training-for-fee' scheme.
Pressed for comment, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque II turned a blind eye on the issue saying that these so-called 'training-for-fee' scheme is not practiced in government hospitals and even called the PNA statement reckless.
The secretary went on to justify these fees saying that hospitals need budget for specialized training courses that are created specifically to accept nurse trainees.
Meanwhile, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said that it welcomes any investigation on the matter and is ready to mete out the necessary sanctions to erring hospitals.
Related Article:
Nursing Shortage in the Philippines: The Real Score
Alarmed by this exploitative practice of hospitals, Senate health and demography committee chairperson Senator Pia Cayetano has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to shut down public and goverment hospitals found to be engaged in this 'training-for-fee' scheme.
Pressed for comment, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque II turned a blind eye on the issue saying that these so-called 'training-for-fee' scheme is not practiced in government hospitals and even called the PNA statement reckless.
The secretary went on to justify these fees saying that hospitals need budget for specialized training courses that are created specifically to accept nurse trainees.
Meanwhile, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said that it welcomes any investigation on the matter and is ready to mete out the necessary sanctions to erring hospitals.
Related Article:
Nursing Shortage in the Philippines: The Real Score
5 comments:
I find this article very interesting! We know for a fact that this issue is as clear as broad daylight! Nurses are extremely exploited here in the Philippines! (I can say this out of first hand experience). With this article I couldn't help but rejoice! At least some people finally have the courage to stand up for us nurses! Let us hope and pray that this doesn't just go down the drain!
Mabuhay Ang Pinoy Nurses!
May M., RN
I know of one government hospital.... AMANG RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, located in Marikina!!!
PGH charges Php7000 for us to become volunteer nurse to their hospital.
If I'm not mistaken, Philippine Heart Center, Medical City and Perpetual (Binan, Laguna) also charges training fees.
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