CEBU, Philippines — Only seven newly-hired nurses for the Cebu City Medical Center have reported for work.
CCMC administrator Yvonne Cania said at least 20 applicants were interviewed but only nine proceeded with the work orientation.
After the orientation, however, three nurses backed out, fearing for their lives as they may be assigned in COVID wards.
Cebu City is in need of at least 100 nurses for CCMC, barangay isolation facilities, temporary treatment monitoring facilities, vaccination sites, and other facilities intended for COVID-19 response.
Cania and CCMC medical director Dr. Anton Reposar II are both hoping that in the coming days, there will be more applicants.
Both Cania and Reposar said CCMC nurses, doctors, and all other health workers are all exhausted that they are splitting their manpower into two teams to deal with the COVID-19 patients alone.
Some CCMC nurses are even assigned at the Cebu City Quarantine Center and other isolation facilities and vaccination sites.
Right now, CCMC is at 78.4 percent in bed capacity for COVID alone.
Due to lack of manpower, Reposar said the current nurse to patient ratio is one nurse per 20 patients. Before the pandemic, it was one nurse to 12 patients.
According to the Filipino Nurses United, the nurse to patient ratio in COVID-19 wards should be 1:3 for moderate to severe COVID-19 patients and 1:1 for those needing critical care.
Meanwhile, aside from nurses and doctors, the City Health Department is also hiring midwife I, nursing attendant I, and pharmacist I.
Those who wish to serve Cebu City, applicants may send their requirements to the Cebu City Health Department’s Administration Office.
Requirements include three copies of the Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form no.212) which is downloadable at www.csc.gov.ph and a photocopy of Professional Regulation Commission ID.
For more details, applicants may call 032-402-9337. — KQD (FREEMAN)