A group of nurses have denounced the 2022 budget of the Department of Health (DOH) stating that it was “grossly inadequate” for pandemic response.
The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) Secretary-General Jocelyn S. Andamo told Business World in an interview that they are frustrated with the DOH over the lack of funding next year for healthcare workers benefits like special risk allowance and meals and transportation subsidies.
She said that there was a need to prioritize health services as well as the welfare of health workers during the pandemic.
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said in a House budget hearing on Thursday that the DoH originally proposed a PHP73 billion fund for next year to the executive department for COVID response which was later slashed to PHP19.67 billion. Original proposal included PHP50.41 billion for the different allowances and life insurance for medical frontline workers.
FNU said in a statement that the proposed COVID response budget for 2022 is a glaring “confirmation that the DOH… has no deep regard nor respect for nurses’ and other health workers’ rights.” Last week the healthcare workers have demanded the immediate release of their delayed hazard pay and special risk allowance.
