In 2010, former President Gloria M. Arroyo approved the Republic Act (RA) No. 10069 or known as Health Workers' Day Act to give a special tribute to all health workers every 7th of May by declaring it as a special working holiday. This is to give due recognition to all health workers for their important role and contribution to the overall health of the citizens from all walks of life through the provision of vital health services. Likewise, this holiday promotes the rights and welfare of our health workers to enhance their sense of dignity and worth.
RA 10069 defined the “health workers” as all people who are engaged in health and health-related work regardless of their employment status.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic placed the spotlight on our health workers. It is time that people greatly increase their appreciation to all our health workers. As we are all fighting this battle against COVID-19, our health workers have shown exemplary dedication, passion and care. They put their lives on the line to give us the better care, safer and healthier community.
Apart from acknowledging the amazing work of our health workers, this celebration calls for raising awareness for the daily challenges they face, especially in these trying times. Health workers call for the government to invest more in health and health-related programs to increase health literacy.
Filipino citizens can show their gratitude to our health workers by taking their advice of staying at home. Let us all limit our exposure to the virus by following the health protocols like avoiding mass gathering, maintaining a safe distance of 1-2 meters away, wearing facemask and face shields, and sanitizing our hands with alcohol. And, by staying healthy and boosting our immunity we are also safeguarding our health workers from diseases. Read here on how to strengthen our immunity.
We all have a role to ensure that everyone is healthy and protected, particularly our frontline health workers. Thus, the government, partners and community must join hands in protecting our health workers, our modern heroes, who protect us not only during this pandemic but at all times. (NO II Arlie Joy O. Damiles)
References:
World Health Organization. 2021. Year of the Health and Care Workers 2021. Protect. Invest. Together. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/campaigns/annual-theme/year-of-health-and-care-workers-2021
Republic of the Philippines. Official Gazette. Republic Act (RA) No. 10069. 06 April 2010. Retrieved from: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2010/04/06/republic-act-no-10069/
