Philippine Nurses Association-Baguio City Chapter (PNA-BCC)

(Baguio Kafagway Nurses Association, Inc.)

Upper Session Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600 KAFAGWAY NIGHTINGALES

POSITION PAPER OF PNA-BAGUIO CITY CHAPTER ON COVID-19

FROM 6 to 10 to 20 to 24 to 33 to now, 49 TESTED POSITIVE COVID 19 DISEASE
CASES IN THE PHILIPPINES IN JUST 6 DAYS (SINCE MARCH 5 TO MARCH 11,
2020).

Such increase is ALARMING! How many more will be confirmed in the next few days or
weeks and months? With the influx of tourists, repatriation of OFWs from affected
countries, with 1 positive COVID 19 case of no travel history and with panic reactions
being posted in social media, it is highly possible that this increase will continue to
rise.

The PNA-Baguio City Chapter highly lauds and supports the PREVENTIVE ACTIONS
of the Baguio City Government in cancelling major crowd-drawing activities such as
the Panagbenga Festival, CARAA and Session Road pedestrianization.

The PNA-Baguio City Chapter, likewise, supports the initiatives and continuing actions
and tireless efforts of all front-line health care providers in the direct care and
monitoring of positive COVID 19 cases and suspected cases (at the national level) and
in monitoring suspected cases at the local level.

The PNA-Baguio City Chapter, “therefore, urges public and private employers to KEEP
THEIR NURSES SAFE.

The PNA-Baguio City Chapter demands that healthcare employers provide the
following to nurses and other healthcare staff:

• Equipment and facilities. Ensuring the provision of personal protective gear

(e.g. masks, gloves, goggles), high-quality facilities (negative pressure rooms, air-
purifying respirators, etc.) and appropriate training and education to employees not
only reduces the possibility of spreading COVID-19, but allows the health organization
to function at its highest level.

• Protocol and communication. Coordinated protocol on how to respond to the

presence of COVID-19 helps organizations to properly manage and contain cases.
Communicating possible and confirmed COVID-19 cases also allows healthcare
workers to take necessary precautions. It is highly suggested that healthcare
institutions utilize the precautionary principle, which is to "not wait until we know for
sure that something is harmful before we take action to protect people’s health"
(National Nurses United, n.d.).

• Law adherence. RA 7305 Magna Carta for Public Health Workers should be
adhered to. This law states that health workers should be properly compensated and
given benefits such as "hazard pay". Additionally, employees exposed to suspected and
confirmed cases of COVID-19 should be placed on precautionary leave for at least 14
days and while maintaining and receiving pay and benefits during the full length of
said leave.

• Adequate staffing. Increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases result in increased

workloads for nurses. Providing adequate staffing and ensuring proper nurse-to-
patient ratios not only improves the quality of care given to patients, but also the
working conditions of nurses.

The PNA demands that nurses are valued by employers and society as a whole. It calls
on the government to take action in correcting the mistreatment that nurses endure,
especially in a time of national health crisis. Efficient funding and effective healthcare
delivery systems not only benefits nurses, but the entire country. It is, therefore, the
PNA's strongest belief that meeting the safety needs of nurses can help the country
fight against COVID-19.” (From PNA-CAR Position Paper).