DOH: Regularization soon for NDP nurses

Good news to all nurses under the Nurse Deployment Project (NDP), for they will soon be regularized by the Department of Health (DOH).

Health undersecretary Roger Tong-an revealed this plan during the discussion with Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) executives in the PNA National Convention 2016 at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas, Quezon City.

Usec. Tong-An spoke about the issue of the NDP contractualization and mentioned about its regularization in the near future.

"Regular positions will be implemented soon for Nurse Deployment Program. It is difficult to secure plantilla positions, but regularization is a step," said Tong-An.

Tong-An also tackles on improving the nursing system by starting to fill-in over 2,000 plantilla nursing positions. He is calling for the support of all nurses to make this happen.

Change is also coming to the local health system in 2017 as public health nurses (PHN) will then be municipal health officers (MHO).

"Municipal Health Officers will now be Nurse Managers and not doctors, since doctors will focus on clinical experiences," he added.

This was also divulged by Senator Pia Hontiveros, one the guest speakers in the convention. "Municipal health officers shall already be nurses as well. This is the #PhilippineHealthAgenda! Magbabago ang lahat," she exclaimed.

Hontiveros added that Super Barangay Health Stations shall be in place by next year and will also be handled by nurses.

Nurses, what do you think of these plans highlighted in the ongoing PNA National Convention 2016? Let us know your thoughts through our comment system below. [via PNA Facebook]