Good news for gov't nurses

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) assured nobody will really lose their jobs in the agency. While it is true that the Nurses Deployment Program (NDP) reduced the number of hired nurses by 6,970 in 2017, nobody will really lose their job (for those currently hired in the program) because the nature of such hiring is on a contractual basis not a permanent one, Health Secretary Pauline Jean G. Rosell-Ubial said in a statement.Secretary Ubial made the assurance in reaction to those fearing that under the proposed 2017 budget for the program, nurses salaries will be increased and therefore, after adjustments will result in fewer hires situations among nurses.The Health Chief added that under the proposed 2017, NDP can hire nurses at higher than usual salary rates because the work is a short-term contract.The longest is one year with two six-months contracts.The idea is to provide experience and eventually absorb the good performers in the available permanent government posts.In line with that she said that items for other categories such public health assistants and universal health care implementors were also increased which hires nurses.She further added that around 12 percent of the deployed nurses are eventually hired into permanent posts in government hospitals or public health offices.She added that there were also 10,000 vacant positions for nurses needed in the treatment and rehab centers that were opened up for 2017 which other nurse can turn to. (PNA)RMA/LSJ/SSC