The Department of Health disclosed that almost 20,000 nurses are jobless countrywide. On Sunday, a group of health workers said that the country is in need of almost 40,000 nurses. According to estimation by Head, 60% more nurses are required to complete the need of nurses in public and private hospitals.

Health Minister, Enrique Aquino was asked to employ more nurses in the country in order to fill the gap in private and public hospital nationwide.

The director of government hospital said that the ideal ratio of nurses in the charity ward is one nurse for every 10 patients, while, in an intensive care unit it is one nurse per patient.

The Head said that currently there are 28,000 employed nurses in both public and private hospitals and more 40,000 are required. Head also said that government nurses have not benefitted from the provision of the Nursing Act of 2002.

Head Secretary General, Dr. Geneva Rivera, lamented, “The problem of the nursing employment also reflects the Aquino government’s priorities in terms of health services, let alone its care for healthcare providers”.

However, the Aquino government is badly in need of more nurses, they are not ready to give a viable career and future for nurses, and this is the major problem.