House health panel endorses ‘medical reserve corps’ during pandemics

The House committee on health has endorsed the creation of a medical reserve corps to augment the country’s health personnel in case of pandemics and health emergencies, according to its chair, Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan.

The panel on Friday created a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate at least eight related bills and come up with a common version on the formation of a reserve national medical network.

“Medical reservists are needed in times like this when we are going through a Covid-19 pandemic. They are also needed in case of disasters,” said Tan, author of one of the bills.

She said many hospitals in Metro Manila and other parts of the country are short of medical staff due to the current pandemic.

“Many of our healthcare workers are exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. They have to take a rest. This is one of the reasons why they called for a timeout three weeks ago. If we have a reserve force, they could temporarily take the place of tired health workers who have to take a break from toxic and risky work,” she said.

She added that the pandemic has “exposed the weaknesses of the country’s healthcare system, including its inability to cope with the surge of patients due to lack of medically-trained personnel.”

“The creation of a reserve medical corps will strengthen the national preparedness and response of the government to public health emergencies and reduce the adverse health, economic and social impact of pandemics on the Filipino people,” Tan stressed.

The other authors of the related bills are Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, and Representatives Joy Myra Tambunting of Parañaque, Alfred Vargas of Quezon City, David Suarez of Quezon, Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City, Paul Daza of Northern Samar, Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija, and Horacio Suansing of Sultan Kudarat.

Under Tan’s House Bill 7331, the Department of Health (DOH) would be mandated to organize the reserve medical network.

It would be composed of licensed physicians, including those retired, graduates of medicine, medical students who have completed four years of medical course, registered nurses, and licensed allied health professionals.

The DOH would issue guidelines for the recruitment, compulsory and continuing training, compensation and incentives, and length of service of corps members.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)