Voices of nurses and midwives in the Philippines in the time of COVID-19

Nurses and midwives play a key role in caring for people everywhere, including in times of outbreaks and settings that are fragile or in conflict. During the COVID-19 outbreak, nurses, midwives and all health workers have been in the frontlines of the response. They also continue to support vital health programmes in the Philippines. Here we highlight the voices of nurses and midwives working in various fields.

 

Jose L. Bautista III, RN

ICU Staff Nurse

Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Marawi City



“I cannot fathom the emotions that I feel especially in handling COVID-19 patients. They are in psychological distress because they are not allowed to have watchers or significant others to visit them to prevent infection. So, you are not just dealing with an unseen enemy, but you need to be a patient advocate and supporter. It is my duty as a nurse to respond to our calling. Our oath is to care for the sick and devote ourselves to the welfare of those committed to our care. Despite what is happening to our world nowadays God is in control and all this pandemic shall disappear sooner or later.”

 

Janet Beran-Rimban, RM

Midwife

City Health Office, Tuguegarao City



“Even if the salary is low and the work is very challenging, it’s very fulfilling to see and help the people in the community or those people in the peripheries. I’m already 25 years in the service but it never crossed my mind to go abroad nor to venture into another profession even if I could. This is my calling. Whenever you see the children you vaccinate, and they do not get sick, that’s very fulfilling. Or whenever you see mothers that you conducted prenatal check-up on and they are protected from sickness or maternal death. Diarrhea is prevented because you helped address the needs of the community. You give them health education. I think that’s the best – to see your patients or clients in good health.”

 

Rauell Rhaj Santos, RN

Technical Coordinator

WHO Philippines



“As part of the WHO Philippines office Incident Command System (ICS) team, I am tasked to provide information management and secretariat support to the Department of Health emergency operations center. The current pandemic situation is a difficult test for all of us – one of the greatest challenges of our generation. I have been deployed to several emergency and disaster situations – nature-induced, armed conflict, protracted emergencies but I’ve never imagined responding in a crisis like this. Despite the delay, it is inspiring to see that our decision and policy makers are realizing the plight of our health workers and significance of what we do. I am hoping that all sacrifices by health workers will not be put to waste.”

 

Dolly Baculod, RM

Rural Health Midwife

Naic Rural Health Unit, Cavite



“One of the biggest challenges in responding to the COVID-19 response is that I am putting my family at risk, that it is possible for me to pass on the virus because I’m the most exposed in my family. Together with colleagues at the health center, we are doing this work for those who are most in need in our municipality. We immediately respond to the health concerns, especially now that we are fighting COVID-19.”