Image by: The STAR/Michael Varcas

The Joint RIATF XII on Covid 19 and the RIATG XII pushed for the quick action of LGUs to address the discrimination and harassment being faced by health workers, along with those who are suspected to be Covid 19 positive, PUIs or PUMs.

The move came in the midst of media reports that hospital workers experience more cases of violence and concerned hospital administration has implemented measures to keep their frontliners in isolation quarters to minimize their outside contact, even with their own families. Hospitals have dorm facilities within or close to their establishments but too often, these quarters, are hospital rooms which can be eventually utilized for patients. As the Covid battle continues to rage, there might be a need for these rooms to be given to Covid 19 patients.

The RIATF XII, upon learning about the said report, acted promptly with the resolution knowing that health workers, patients or even those suspected to be carrying the virus “must be protected from such a vicious form of harassment and violence.”

In a written narrative from a private hospital which was forwarded to the DILG-XII OpCen, health workers were being told to leave their boarding houses or dorms without prior notice. Health workers were also treated like they have a dreaded and contagious disease and were not allowed entry to villages or even their neighborhood.

In line with this, the RIATF Covid 19 and the RIATG have agreed to arrange with the PNP to provide the public hotline numbers as part of the reporting mechanism against the violence and harassment against health workers and Covid 19 patients.   

“There has to be a venue for health workers to report all these harassment from those who have misconceptions about Covid 19,” Dir. Leysa laments.

“I believe this is not a time for witch-hunting but people should give more support, understanding and care to all health workers or even the Covid 19 patients. After all, the battle is against the virus, not against our first line of defense, the health workers,” Dir. Leysa added. ###