A major Philippine nurses’ organization voiced dismay Thursday over the release of six suspects in the gang-rape of a volunteer nurse in Maguindanao province last month. Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) president Teresita Barcelo said they are coordinating with the Justice Department to fine-tune the group’s next legal move on the matter. “Natatakot kami na baka sa kagaganito’t kagaganoon wala ni isang maituturo na perpetrator at yung totoong may sala natutuwa at … Read entire article »

In line with the pump priming strategies to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) Project on 9 February 2009 during the Multi-Sectoral Summit on “Joining Hands Against the Global Crisis” in Malacanan Palace, Manila. The NARS Program, a Training cum Employment Program, aims to address the (1) glut in inexperienced nurses and the proliferation of “volunteer nurses” working in hospitals without being paid, but instead, they themselves pay the hospitals to obtain Certificate of work experience; and (2) to promote health of the people and bring the government closer to them.   Unemployed nurses will be mobilized in their hometowns as warriors for wellness to do the three I’s: * Initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, first line … Read entire article »