This healthcare services provider offers an empowering solution to a multifaceted nursing shortage in the country
The Philippines is known as one of the top sources of nursing professionals worldwide. However, the country is also grappling with a nursing shortage. A study conducted at the Philippine General Hospital in 2022 revealed that the nurse-to-patient ratio has reached 1:20, which is higher than the Department of Health standard of 1:12.
Despite the DOH declaring a shortage of 190,000 healthcare workers in May 2024, the country continues to deploy nurses globally. Due to this shortage, our nurses face heavy workloads leading to burnout, only to be met with relatively low salaries. These long and taxing hospital shifts limit nurses’ opportunities for upskilling and advancing their career paths.
Faced with these challenges, how do we even keep our nurses in the country?
Research conducted by Optum Philippines, a data-enabled care delivery company under US-based UnitedHealth Group, suggests that providing continuing education and strengthening career paths can improve nurses’ livelihoods and encourage them to pursue their careers in the Philippines.
As part of its efforts to address the multifaceted nursing shortage, Optum offers a continuing education platform that allows nurses to learn at their own pace. Darwin Mariano, UnitedHealth Group’s Vice President for External Affairs discusses more about their initiatives to support Filipino nurses who wish to stay ahead in this BrandRap Talk. – Rappler.com
