MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has established a protocol requiring all healthcare workers to undergo tests for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) despite exhibiting mild symptoms.
According to the DOH, healthcare workers belong to the ‘vulnerable’ group whose conditions need primary attention.
Since the fight against COVID-19 started in January, a number of doctors, nurses, hospitals and laboratory staffers have fallen ill, some have died, due to exposure to COVID-19.
Based on DOH’s previous policy on COVID-19 testing, workers belonging to the ‘vulnerable population’ should be prioritized but that included only senior citizens or the elderly with pre-existing medical conditions and those who are showing severe symptoms of the disease.
But following review of the policy on Tuesday (March 31), the DOH decided to include the healthcare workers to the vulnerable group.
“Kapag nagpunta sa isang health facility ang ating mga healthcare workers, dahil sila ay may sintomas o sila ay na- expose, kailangan po silang asikasuhin [Healthcare workers should be attended to once they show symptoms (of COVID-19) due to their exposure to the virus in a health facility where they work],” noted DOH Spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
“Kailangan po silang i- test ng ating mga heathcare workers [We should test our healthcare workers],” she added.
The DOH is still collating information about healthcare workers or medical professionals across the country who have been affected by COVID-19.
Medical professionals who contracted the disease in line of duty will receive P100,000 insurance package each.
Meanwhile, relatives of medical front-liners who succumbed to COVID-19 will get P1-M financial assistance from the national government.
