The Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-Davao) has officially onboarded 29 new personnel to bolster the Human Resources for Health under the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS). The move aligns with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos’ directive to enhance healthcare access in rural and underserved communities across the country.
Oath-Taking Ceremony
DOH-Davao OIC Regional Director Dr. Ellenietta HMV N. Gamolo presided over the oath-taking ceremony on May 11 for the new health workers. The cohort includes 11 nurses, 2 midwives, 4 pharmacists, 6 medical technologists, 3 nutritionist-dietitians, and 3 radiologic technologists. This brings the total number of human resources for health deployed in Davao Region to over 1,449.
Commitment to Public Service
“DOH-Davao is steadfast in its public service to contribute to better health outcomes and stronger health systems in the country as directed by the 8-Point Action Agenda,” Dr. Gamolo stated. The third pillar of the health agenda, “For Every Health Worker and Institution,” focuses on healthcare workers’ well-being, rights, and fortifying health institutions against pandemics. This involves strategic interventions to increase the availability of health workers in health facilities, institutions, and communities.
Addressing Workforce Disparities
While the Philippines meets the World Health Organization threshold ratio of 61:2 (62 health workers per 10,000 population), significant disparities persist among specific healthcare professional categories. Shortages exist across all categories except nursing personnel, which exceed WHO density standards. To address these issues, DOH is increasing investments for sustainable production of health workers, implementing competency-based recruitment and placement policies, and establishing a harmonized system for health workforce data management.
National Health Workforce Support System
The NHWSS aims to address inequitable access to and distribution of healthcare workers nationwide. This comprehensive program covers human resource management, salaries, benefits, incentives, and occupational health and safety for professionals deployed to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas. Current initiatives under the NHWSS include the Doctors to the Barrios Program, the Nurse Deployment Project, and the HRH program, which deploys nurses, dentists, nutritionists, medical technologists, physical therapists, and midwives to areas in need. Additionally, the Post-Residency Deployment Program (PRDP) and the newly introduced Espesyalista para sa Bayan Program aim to deploy specialist physicians to underserved regions after completing residency training in DOH hospitals.
