FNU dismayed by gov’t’s ‘chaotic’ pandemic response

Health workers group Filipino Nurses United on Sunday said it was dismayed by the government's "chaotic" response to the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.

In a statement, the group said the "exponential increase" of the positivity rate in the country shows the "ineptness and lack of preparedness by the government to handle the current health crisis despite having been in this pandemic for two years now."

FNU said that there are over a hundred health workers infected with COVID-19 in San Lazaro Hospital and Tondo Medical Center, while 40% of the medical workers in the Philippine General Hospital are also sick.

"We decry the recent directive that shortened the quarantine period for health workers from 7–14 days to 5–10 days. This is unsafe, unfair and irrational with health workers on the frontline most likely the ones to get infected given the dire situation of heavy patient load, extended work hours, increased patient admissions and the chronic understaffing of health personnel," it said.

FNU said the shortened quarantine compromises the health workers' health and safety.

It called on the government to ensure additional beds and health personnel in health facilities.

It also urged the government to conduct free and accessible COVID-19 tests, aggressive and systematic contact tracing, and improved quarantine services alongside adequate aid and socio-economic assistance for displaced sectors.

The Philippines reported a record 28,707 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News