634 nurses complete community course

CEBU, Philippines - At least 634 registered nurses without hospital experience became the first batch who graduated from the Registered Nurses Health Enhancement and Local Service (RNHEALS).

The graduates received their certificates of deployment and competency and are now expected to have a greater edge in terms of employability and eventual absorption in health care offices and hospitals after having undergone extensive learning and development during the duration of their experience.

 DOLE Central Visayas Regional Director Ma. Gloria A. Tango, who attended the culmination ceremony of the first batch held at the Cebu Normal University in Cebu City last week, said that the program recruited 669 nurses who were deployed to different local government units and district hospitals.

However, only 634 were able to finish the one year deployment.

Tango attended to represent the Department of Labor and Employment as one of the participating agencies of the program together with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA).

“I congratulate all the nurses who finished the one-year program because we know that you are not only after your certificates and the allowances that you received, but the dedication and fulfillment in serving our people. I hope that the burning enthusiasm and commitment will continue in your work as nurses,” Tango said during her speech.

The DOLE played a vital role during the launching of the program in the selection and recruitment phase until the qualified applicants were turned over to the DOH. The program has a great impact on employment facilitation for nurses especially at present with lesser employment opportunities overseas.

“We know for a fact that while we have an increasing number of registered nurses in the country, other countries abroad like the United States, Canada and the European states are experiencing economic recession which prompted them to limit entry of foreign workers including our nurses. Hence, the present administration finds an option to let our nurses become useful in the delivery of primary health care to the underserved communities,” Tango said.

Tango explained that deploying nurses to the different areas in the region does not only give them jobs but is also giving them the experience to become more globally competitive workers in terms of skills and values as professional nurses.

“If there are demands for this type of workers abroad, the Philippines have these nurses ready for deployment,” Tango added.

The nurses will receive a monthly allowance of P8,000 from the DOH while the municipalities where they were assigned ensured their safety.

If the LGU is financially capable, they can provide an additional stipend to the worker in addition to their monthly allowance.

The workers’ deployment is also covered by a group insurance through PhilHealth and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). — (FREEMAN)