Doctors Barred From Going Abroad To Boost PH Health Force

The Philippines has barred doctors, nurses, and other health workers from leaving for overseas work as the nation seeks to stem the coronavirus outbreak, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

- Bloomberg, Leslie Ann G. Aquino And Hanah Tabios

CHEERING FOR FRONTLINERS – Residents of La Verti Residences in Pasay City cheer from their balconies to show their gratitude to the medical staff of the Adventist Medical Center, April 9, 2020. (Jansen Romero)

The temporary halt follows an order of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on April 2, immigration spokeswoman Dana Sandoval said in mobile-phone message. It will last for the duration of the nation’s state of emergency, according to the POEA order.

The Philippines, which sends thousands of medical practitioners to work overseas, must now reinforce the national healthcare system overwhelmed by the pandemic and weakened by deaths and infection of more than 200 health workers.

The nation only has six doctors for every 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, one of the lowest in the region. Singapore’s ratio is almost 23 and Malaysia at 15.36.

The ban covers 12 other jobs including medical equipment operation and repair.

More than 30,000 doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and caregivers left the Philippines in 2010, according to the latest available data.