Front-liners vital to PH battle vs. Covid-19: Galvez

MANILA – Without the relentless dedication and sacrifices of every front-liner, the country would not have been able to face the challenges posed by the public health crisis, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said Friday night.

“This strength comes from the individuals who have been at the forefront of our country’s fight against this health crisis. They are our medical front-liners and health workers who are putting their lives on the line 24/7,” Galvez, also the vaccine czar, said in a statement on the observance of Health Workers’ Day on May 7.

The health care workers’ courage, dedication, and compassion have made the health system available during the crisis, he said.

 “These brave men and women – nurses, doctors, emergency responders, barangay health workers – are sacrificing their health and safety to serve our countrymen who have been afflicted by Covid-19,” Galvez added.

 Tagging the health care workers as “the first and last line of defense in this war,” he said, “through your courage, dedication, and compassion, we have been able to address the challenges brought about by this pandemic and mitigate its impact.”

Aside from praising the heroism of health care workers, Galvez also cited their major challenges in responding to the pandemic and mitigating its impact.

“We have seen the vulnerability of the Filipino people and we have witnessed the dysfunctional gaps in our health care system during this pandemic,” he said at the joint hearing of the Senate’s Committee on Health and Demography and Committee on Finance on Thursday.

To protect health care workers, he proposed the amendment of some provisions of the Universal Healthcare Law, such as improving health care facilities.

Galvez noted that the government should impose measures to secure enough health care workers in the country.

Amid the pandemic, all health care workers play a significant part in the country’s battle “against the unseen enemy,” he said.

“Today is a celebration of your major contribution in our collective effort to contain and put an end to this health crisis. You are heroes in the truest sense who deserve to be recognized and honored,” he said in the statement.

“We in the National Task Force Against Covid-19 are proud and honored to be working with all of you. We believe that with you by our side, we will be able to provide our people with the best health care possible, and most of all, save lives.”