MANILA, Oct. 18 (PNA) — Malacanang welcomed the plan training by foreign experts of the Filipino health workers as nations step up their defenses against Ebola virus.
It was reported that the first batch of foreign experts who will train local health workers will arrive in the Philippines soon.
“Magandang bagay ‘yan, darating na ang mga foreign experts on infectious diseases to come and train our doctors and nurses on how to prevent the spread of anyone infected with the Ebola virus,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“Maganda ito, it shows that we’re being proactive kahit wala ito, at hopefully, hindi lumanding sa ating mga shores. Kahit po wala ito ay nagiging proactive tayo sa ating paghahanda.”
Relatedly, Valte said the government is also ready to address concerns of Filipino nurses to adjust their pay and improve their working conditions.
Hundreds of nurses held a rally in Manila demanding higher salary and better working condition.
Valte said that with regard to compensation issues, it is a budgetary matter that has to be addressed and at the same time, it is a policy issue that should be discussed by the leadership of the Department of Health.
“But ‘yung sa better working condition, siyempre, lahat naman tayo gusto natin na mas maganda ang working conditions ng ating mga kababayan. At kung may specific issues, I’m sure that handa pong makinig ang DOH sa kanila,” she said.
At the same time, Valte said the government continues to hire nurses through the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN-HEALS).
Under the program, nurses having difficulty finding jobs can be employed. They are given allowances while they gain extensive experience they need, she added. (PNA)