Health workers held a protest action today as they continue to assail how they were deceived by the Department of Health (DOH) when they were repeatedly told that there is no appropriated budget for their due pay and benefits.
“[The government’s] response now is no different from the 2nd ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) — impose a lockdown and hope transmission slows down.”
Mass testing, according to the petitioners, should be made free and accessible to all suspect cases, contacts of probable and confirmed cases, frontline healthworkers, and high-risk and vulnerable communities.
On March 26, WHO issued a statement urging countries to not waste time in its efforts against the contagion and gave a list of six actions every country should take immediately. Unfortunately, the Philippine government is found wanting in its efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
As we witness the excruciatingly slow and inefficient governance of this administration, more lives are on the line – not only due to the dreaded disease but also due to hunger and desperation.
“Health facilities should be brought nearer to the mothers and children, not the other way around. This will only happen if government will construct enough health facilities.”
By INA ALLECO SILVERIO
“Under the Aquino administration, public health services are no longer free but they come for a fee.” – Alliance of Health Workers
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY GREGORIO B. DANTES Jr.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com Despite supposed efforts of the government to stamp it out, health statistics in the country continue to worsen as the most ordinary diseases and viruses like tuberculosis and dengue continue to claim lives. This has prompted the lawmakers of progressive party-list group Bayan Muna to propose free hospitalization for…
By MARYA SALAMAT
In a study of the proposed 2012 health budget conducted by the Coalition for Health Budget Increase (CHBI), it found out that the increases in the health budget only “define the Aquino Health Agenda of privatization and commercialization of public health care which will further jeopardize the health of the people.”
By MARYA SALAMAT
Forming his team to set the direction of change or political payback? So far, except for Justice Sec. Leila de Lima, the Cabinet of Pres. Benigno Aquino III is a mixture of key figures in his campaign, representatives of big business, and old hands of the former Arroyo administration.