Philippine nurses struggling with Covid-19

Worn out nurses in the Philippines are struggling to care for patients due to the shortage in staff even before the pandemic.

The country is suffering a record rise in infections, fuelled by the Delta variant, with the health department reporting a nursing shortfall of more than 100,000 – forcing those left to work long hours for little pay on often precarious short-term contracts.

According to official figures, a total of 75,000 nurses are working in public and private Philippine hospitals, but roughly 109,000 more are needed.

About 40 per cent of private hospital nurses have resigned since the start of the pandemic after they have had enough, according to the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.

More than 5,000 nurses have been given the green light to go abroad this year after a COVID-19 ban was replaced with a cap to ensure that enough nurses were available in the Philippines.