THE private sector is offering a P1.2 million award to two dozen healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in an online event on Tuesday said it is partnering with several business groups in offering P50,000 each to 12 individuals and 12 teams through a national search.
The chamber said that the project recognizes individual and team stories demonstrating leadership and effective performance. The project also documents COVID-19 healthcare management responses for the purposes of education and research.
Those qualified for the award include personnel of a nominating hospital who have directly cared for COVID-19 patients.
Asked why the private sector is offering the awards in a competitive platform, Alliance of All Health Organizations of the Nation Philippines Founder Bu C. Castro noted that there are awards within hospital groups for operations and patient treatment problem solving.
“Especially with this pandemic, given WHO (World Health Organization) do not have specific answers to everything, all solutions may come from everywhere. That’s why even WHO is looking for some solutions coming from the frontliners themselves because they’re all experienced,” he said.
“We would like to give them recognition,” he added.
Participating organizations include the PCCI, the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce, Philexport, the Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc, Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, along with the AAHON, Philippine Hospitals Association, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Hospital Administration, Philippine Nurses Association, and other business and healthcare groups.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte in June ordered government agencies to deliver compensation to health workers who had become severely ill after being infected with COVID-19 following distribution delays.
Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara proposed that the P100,000 grant be expanded for workers who have non-severe cases. — Jenina P. Ibañez
