Philippine Medical Association to seek better compensation for healthcare workers

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) will propose a better compensation package for healthcare workers at the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the association’s vice president said Sunday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Dr. Benny Atienza said the PMA will meet with the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health this week to lobby for their proposal.

Atienza said the PMA Board of Governors convened on Saturday and crafted a proposal titled “Second Wave of Frontliners or Physicians” that seeks the following for healthcare workers:

• Incentives
• Accident and death insurance
• Hazard pay
• Supply of maintenance and medicines, vitamins, and other drugs for one year
• Veterans’ benefit
• Mobility
• Uniform
• Free legal liabilities
• Tax incentives

“Marami rin po [kaming] gastusin… Pag na-expose ka kasi, wala kang kita ng 14 days,” Atienza explained.

The PMA, for its part, will grant healthcare workers who will volunteer for the “second wave” a one-year membership that includes PhilHealth coverage and other benefits that will be identified by the government.

“Isa pang hinihiling namin, i-assign siya (doktor) sa malapit na ospital do’n sa kanilang area para mas madali,” Atienza added.

The operations of several hospitals across Metro Manila have been hard hit by the surge in COVID-19 cases this month, with hundreds of staff undergoing quarantine after coming into contact with infected patients and facilities reaching full capacity.

The deadly disease has also claimed the lives of at least nine doctors.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Philippines has recorded 1,075 cases of COVID-19 with 68 deaths and 35 recoveries. — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News