The Department of Health (DOH) called on surviving family members of healthcare workers (HCWs) to submit the necessary documents to claim their benefits stipulated under “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”.
“In preparation for its immediate implementation, our Public Assistance Unit has been calling the heirs of 32 HCWs for the submission of necessary documents to claim the benefits. We are also gathering information to identify those who were classified as severe patients so that they may be informed of this benefit” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the DOH Beat Covid televised press conference.
The DOH acted on the matter after Senate President Vicente Sotto III sent a letter to DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III urging the latter to release the benefits to the kin of HCWs who succumbed to Covid-19 while performing their duty as well as those who got sick.
Sotto stressed that law’s effectivity does not rely on the lack of implementing rules and regulation (IRR) delay the release of the benefits.
Under the law, HCWs will receive P 100,000 in case of infirmity due to Covid-19 and P1,000,000 in case of death.
“We bear witness to the effort and sacrifices of our healthcare workers every day. That is why the DOH is committed to effectively implement section 4(f) of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” Vergeire said.
This will be done through a Joint Administrative Order by the DOH, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Budget and Management, she added.
“It has undergone stringent review and has retroactive application from February 1, 2020 in preparation for its immediate implementation,” Vergeire stressed.
Covid cases
As of 4 p. m. of June 3, 2020, the DOH reported the total number of Covid-19 cases at 19,748.
Of the 751 confirmed cases, 221 fresh cases, 530 late cases were also reported today.
Today’s fresh cases are based on the daily accomplishment reports submitted by only 30 out of 42 current operational labs.
DOH also announced that there were 90 recoveries. This brings the total number of recoveries to 4,153.
Eight deaths were reported bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 974.
Also included in the confirmed cases are 2, 675 HCWs with 1,457 recoveries and 32 deaths.
Of the total number of infected HCWs, 981 are nurses, 728 doctors, 175 nursing aides, 109 medical technologists, 55 radiologic technologists, and 332 nonmedical staff.
Ninety-eight (83.30 percent) of HCWs are mild cases, 197 (16.61 percent) asymptomatic,and 1 (0.08) severe.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila
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