DOH: Govt's emergency hiring program for health care workers amid COVID-19 has few takers

The number of healthcare workers who want to enlist under the government’s emergency hiring program amid the COVID-19 pandemic are few and far in between, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Vergeire made the statement a day after the number of COVID-19 cases in the country breached 80,000 and given that the number of infected health care workers has reached over 2,800.

“Yung sa emergency hiring, 6,000 na personnel ang na-hire for hospitals so [other] hospital staff can rest. Pero nag-plateau [na ang number ng nag-aaply]. Walang masyadong takers sa slots na meron tayo, kaya pinag-uusapan namin within the Department of Health kung paano makakakuha [ng dagdag na tao],” Vergeire said in an online forum hosted by DOH.

“Noong una, madaming nag-apply. Ngayon, pakonti-konti na. Nagpa-plataeu. What I meant is, bumabagal ‘yung uptick ng mga gustong mag-apply, especially sa NCR (National Capital Region). We are looking at partnering with universities and other institutions para mas mabilis at makakuha tayo in batches,” she added.

Vergeire, however, could not say if the lack of applicants is due to fear of getting infected with COVID-19.

“Hindi ko masabi ‘yan but as health care workers, we have the commitment to serve,” she said.

Vergeire then assured possible applicants that the government will provide the needed protection for healthcare workers amid COVID-19 pandemic.

“Oo, natatakot tayo, pero they have to trust the government na aalagaan naman kayo, at [sana naroon] iyong commitment na makatulong tayo sa bayan,” she added.—AOL, GMA News