THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) has recognized the huge contribution of health professionals and other medical workers in the country's fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic in time of the observance of Philippine Medicine Day on Tuesday.
"In the midst of a national health emergency, ensuring people’s access to health services is the foundation of a successful response," CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement.
De Guia said health workers are the backbone of the healthcare system.
"In order to realize the highest possible standard of health, we need to stand behind them and demand for greater and strategic investment in frontline health workers in fighting coronavirus," she added.
De Guia said the commission has been supporting the pending legislation from both the Senate and Congress which seeks to support and protect medical professionals.
"With the recent passage of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, we welcome provisions that heed the plea of our healthcare workers including the expansion of government hospital capacity, additional isolation and quarantine facilities, adequate supply of protective equipment, among others," she said.
"The said measure will also allocate budget for Covid-19 special risk allowance, compensation for those who get infected by the virus, meals, transportation, and temporary accommodation of our front-liners," she added.
The CHR also backed the proposed policy penalizing all forms of abuse and harassment against health workers.
"The Commission reiterates that the health sector cannot hold the line for much longer if no adequate and responsive measures will alleviate the challenging situation of our health care workers," she added.
De Guia emphasized that "winning the country's fight against Covid-19 relies heavily on being able to capacitate our best assets in addressing the medical needs of all Filipinos." (By Lade Jean Kabagani)
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