Gov't fails to implement Nursing Act

Source: Malaya

THE Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) yesterday assailed the government over the continued non-implementation of the Nursing Act of 2002 (RA 9173) which should have given those nurses working in government hospitals higher pay.

PNA president Dr. Leah Samaco-Paquiz said that under RA 9173, a nurse working in a government hospital should be getting P16,093 a month in salary but the reality is many are getting less than P10,000 a month.

"What is taking them so long to implement this salary (upgrade)? We need to entice these nurses to work in public health and in government service by this simple request to provide them what is just and legal," Paquiz said, adding that the low pay is one reason why Filipino nurses leave for jobs abroad. "While salary is not the reason why nurses serve, the high salaries offered by foreign employment becomes more attractive to them. How do we expect these nurses to remain in government service with this kind of salary?"

PNA said it will send 1,000 of its members to join Monday's rallies along Commonwealth Avenue against President Arroyo when the latter delivers her State of the Nation Address at the Batasan. - Gerard M. Naval