Gov't to tap medical graduates to practice vs. COVID-19 pandemic

 

IATF spokesperson Karlo Nograles said they have approved the Department of Health's “Interim Guidelines for the Granting of Special Authorization for the Limited Practice of Medical Graduates.” 

 

But Nograles clarified that special authorizations shall only be issued as a last resort. 

 

“Provided, further, that any authorization shall only be effective for the duration of the State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines unless earlier withdrawn by the IATF upon recommendation of the DOH,” he added.

 

The IATF’s response came a few weeks after Senator Francis Tolentino urged the DOH and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to authorize medical graduates who took the licensure exams last March to practice their profession.

 

In another development, Nograles said the government is now allowing the deployment of medical workers who have existing contracts abroad. A few weeks ago the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued an overseas deployment ban.

 

He said medical workers will just have to sign a waiver, signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in travelling abroad.

 

Nograles said the DOH is directed to facilitate an emergency hiring of additional healthcare workers to assist in the local healthcare system.