Kuwait hiring Filipino nurses, dental staff

MANILA – A dental clinic in Kuwait is hiring 250 Filipino nurses and 50 staffers and will screen applicants in Manila and Davao City next week.

Maidan Clinic will offer the nurses a monthly salary of P42,600. A minimum two and half years of hospital experience is required and applicants must be between 23 to 40 years old.

The clinic will hire 20 dental hygienists, 10 male and 10 female; 20 dental technicians, 10 male and 10 female; and 10 female cleaners. The hygienists will get a monthly salary of P46,500, technicians will get P42,600 while cleaners will get P18,600.

The company will provide food allowance as well as free accommodation and transportation.

“They are hard workers, no complaints, commitment to work plus they have a high standard for educ which makes us focus on Filipino nurses and hygienists as well,” Maidan Clinic CEO Anis Chebaro said of his Filipino staff.

Screenings will be held at the ADM International Manpower Services in Pasig from July 31 to August 2 and at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites in Davao City on August 3 to 4.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoy nurses join rally against Kaiser

OAKLAND, California – Filipinos joined about 300 nurses and union representatives who gathered in front of the California Nurses Association building last week to accuse their employer Kaiser Permanente of dismissing the importance of patient care.

They said this is alarming because Kaiser is the largest health insurer and hospital system in California.

"We were supposed to have bargaining but our employer failed to show up so we went to them instead. So we rallied over at their office and let them know that we were there and what are purpose was to be there," Mike Beshears, a 21-year nurse at Kaiser L.A.M.C.

The nurses say that despite the $1.1 billion increase in Kaiser profits for the first quarter of 2014, the company still allows chronic understaffing and continues to cut patient services.

Those cuts include hospital admission restrictions, holding patients in “observation” for over 72 hours, and prematurely sending patients from Kaiser Hospitals to others settings that include homes where the burden of providing care falls on the families.

Even nurses from southern California made the trip up north to join the efforts in protecting their patients.

“We came up here to support our nurses up north because we are all one company and we are all here for the care of our patients,” said Beshears. “We want everyone to know we are united on this. We want our patients to get the care they deserve and that they paid for.”

“We as nurses are the voice of our patients,” said Tessie Costales, a 28-year nurse of Kaiser L.A.M.C. “So being their voice, we want better care for them and Kaiser is starting to cut back on all the services. So as a nurse we are the voice of our patient and we want to be heard.”

Many Pinoy nurses here say they take their profession seriously and it means being the best nurses they can be.

“A lot of the nurses were sent here by their parents and have sacrifice so much to sell everything they have to send their children to school to be nurses to be here to better their lives,” said Marilu Ramirez, a nurse on the 2014 bargaining team.

Balitang America has reached out to Kaiser to respond to these allegations.

In an email, Kaiser says the reason why they didn’t meet with the nurses is because they did not agree on a neutral location.

Kaiser also says it is ready to come to the bargaining table with the nurses and it is confident that both parties will have a meaningful dialogue.

But for now these protesters have a clear message for Kaiser.

“I want you to obey what the nurses are saying,” said Ramirez. “We are for our patients and that is the best, best way we can do this. If you follow what’s in your heart, not the pocket, but what’s in your heart it’s always patients first.”

 Read more from Balitang America.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoy nurse murdered in Texas

PEARLAND, Texas - Authorities are now one step closer to finding out the motive for the suspected murder of Filipino nurse Juanario "John" Rosas, after issuing an arrest warrant for 23-year-old Damien Lucas Salinas.

Rosas was found dead inside his bedroom after concerned co-workers reported to police that he missed his scheduled shift last Sunday.

Friends of Rosas said he was killed in a violent attack. Authorities suspect that the killer could be someone he knew, and the crime may not have been random.

Friends and family said Rosas was cheerful and friendly with no known enemies. They are now seeking justice.

"I would like to congratulate the authorities as one of the suspects is now in police custody. However, it is sad to note that one Filipino nurse's American dream was abbreviated by a senseless death," said Zachary Beltran.

In the meantime, 22-year-old Courtney King believed to be the suspect’s girlfriend, was arrested and charged with felony for tampering with evidence and arson.

Reports claim King allegedly tried to eliminate the evidence by attempting to burn Rosas' home. Authorities said the suspects had fled the scene and the fire was contained when police came.

Pearland police warned that Salinas is possibly armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Salinas’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Pearland Police Department at 291-997-4100 or Brazoria County Crime Stoppers at 979-864-2279.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Filipino nurses to be deployed to Germany

MANILA – Filipino nurses may soon be deployed to Germany once the agreement between the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and its counterpart, the Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Services (ZAV) is signed in Manila.

“Under the agreement, Filipino workers may not be employed under working conditions less favorable than those comparable for German workers,” said Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad in a statement.

The deployment of Filipino nurses is expected to address the current shortages experienced by German hospitals.

Natividad met with Monika Varnhagen, Director of ZAV, and Annette Tigges-Thies, head of Division for Labor Migration and Work Permits at ZAV last week in Bonn. She said ZAV will ensure that Filipino nurses will have adequate linguistic and professional preparation, free of charge, prior to entry to Germany.

The ambassador also informed ZAV officials of the readiness of the Philippines to sign the agreement, particularly the POEA which will be responsible for the implementation.

“It is all systems go for the Triple Win Project. When the agreement is signed, then we have a cooperation framework that enables Filipino nurses to work in Germany,” she said.

The agreement, she added, protects Filipino workers’ rights.

The deployment of nurses is part of enhanced labor cooperation discussed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle during the latter’s official visit to Manila in February this year. The two ministers called for cooperation across the board between the Philippines and Germany as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

US-based Pinoy nurses angered by Cynthia Villar's statement

Over the weekend, social media was abuzz over a statement perceived to be an attack on Filipino nurses. The statement was made by a former lawmaker who is vying for a seat at the Philippine Senate.

In an electoral forum on Philippine TV, former Las Pinas City representative, now Philippine Senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar answered a question about why she sided with the owners of shut-down nursing schools and not with the nursing student.

"Actually hindi naman kailangan ng nurse ay matapos ng BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Kasi itong ating mga nurses, gusto lang nilang maging room nurse, sa America or other countries, parang mag-aalaga. Hindi naman sila kailangan maging ganoon kagaling," Villar said.

Filipino nurses took to social media to show their anger on the candidate's statement, including the Filipina nurse recently honored by President Obama during his State the Union address.

"Ang taas na ng pagtingin ng mundo sa atin, naitaas na natin eh, tapos binababa naman niya. Talagang na hurt talaga ang mga nurses, ang sabi ko nga everybody has their own mind, masasabi niya kahit anong gusto niyang sabihin pero tayo meron tayo may magagawa tayo, ang dapat nating gawin, yung mga ganung tao hindi natin nilalagay sa pwesto," said Menchu Sanchez, who was honored by Obama for saving critically ill babies in neo-natal ICU at the height of superstorm Sandy.

Other Filipino nurses in Jersey City said they came to America not to become what Villar calls a "room nurse" but to be professional nurses who can move up the ladder of success

"Yes, nagpupunas kami ng mga pwet ng mga pasyente, naglilinis kami ng mga sugat at lahat ng ganyan pero ang masasabi ko lang sana hindi siya magkasakit ng sobra sobra, dahil alam ko dadaan siya sa mga kamay ng nurses. Sana lang marealize niya na yung sinabi niya mali, kasi it takes so much to be a nurse, it was too degrading, it was too insulting," said Dez Choi, a Filipino nurse in New Jersey.

"Nowadays marami nang roles na ina-assume ang mga nurses especially Filipino nurses. I think we have broken through - na mainstream na tayo, like me personally I'm taking my MSN ngayon, my masters. I've been here almost 6 years so hindi totoo na puro lang kami bedside kasi merong nasa management na," said nurse Maridel Maulawin from Chicago.

Villar earlier has apologized to the Philippine Nurses Association for her remarks, saying she had no intention to belittle anyone--especially the nursing profession.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoy nurses in London hit by NHS budget cuts

LONDON -  For the past weeks, locals and hospital staff across London have been protesting against the austerity measures of the National Health Service (NHS).

NHS cuts include closing selected A&E wards and acute services, downgrading of hospitals, redundancies and downgrading of salaries. In 2011, more than 30,000 NHS workers lost their jobs.

"We're fighting this because we believe that there is money to be found to invest in local health service, so we don't have to suffer from these life threatening cuts," Carlo Nero, chair of Save Our Hospital Campaign, said.

Because of the cuts, some Pinoy nurses are facing salary downgrade while others are forced to re-apply for their posts.

"Sa unit namin kung sampu kaming band 6, dalawa lang ang kukunin or you will go through interview para ma -retain ninyo ang current position ninyo," said Bien del Mundo, an NHS nurse.

"Kung mada-down grade ako, ang suweldo ko liliit. Maapektuhan ang family ko back home sa Pilipinas kasi ang ipapadala  namin liliit," said another NHS nurse Lester Najera.

It may seem that the salary downgrade is better than redundancies but they feel the cuts came at the worst possible time.

"So siyempre napakalaking impact yun financially para sa pamilya mo. Paano yun ilang taon ka  sa current position mo tapos  bababa pa ang suweldo mo.  Di na rin kami makaka -cope up sa daily needs namin," del Mundo said.

This year, the NHS is hit with the longest budget freeze penned in to last until 2015, which means frozen salaries for Pinoy nurses in the coming years.

"Di na nga tumaas ang suweldo mo, ang mga presyo ng bilihin is not going any lower, pataas ng pataas- everything, housing and all. Halos wala ng matira sa iyo," NHS nurse Donna Prima-Negrito said.

"Nakakabigla rin para sa min kasi sa hirap ng buhay ngayon," Edwin Rebenque, medical worker at NHS, said.

The flatlining UK economy is taking a toll on Pinoy nurses. But they want to remain optimistic and hope for growth and recovery of the economy. They believe any further drastic austerity measures in the health services will send them and the NHS in the emergency unit.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

4 Tagalog-speaking Filipino nurses settle discrimination case with Baltimore hospital

LOS ANGELES - Four Filipino employees who accused a Baltimore hospital of discriminating against them for speaking Tagalog at the workplace have settled their case for an undisclosed amount.

The Bon Secours Hospital “has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to end the workers’ discrimination complaint," television reports here said.

“We’re almost done with it. We’ve signed the papers and it’s just a matter of paying us,” said Anna Rowena Rosales.

Rosales, two other nurses, and a hospital administrator were fired for allegedly speaking Tagalog during lunch breaks in 2010, according to the report.

Reports said the Federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) ruled last year that the Hospital’s English-only regulations discriminated against the four Filipino employees.

Rosales, Corina Capunitan-Yap, Hachelle Natano, and Jazziel Granada immediately filed a complaint, accusing the hospital’s management of singling them out. They said there were other employees of different nationalities who would commonly speak a different language but were not disciplined, the report said.

“Other employees spoke Spanish and other languages, contrary to the policies and were not disciplined,” said EEOC Baltimore field office Director Gerald Kiel in his report against the hospital last August 16. “In addition, it appears more serious infractions of work rules were not comparably punished.”

Kiel said the hospital subjected the Filipinos to unequal terms and conditions of employment, a hostile work environment, disciplinary action and discharge because of their national origins in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

He also urged the hospital to settle the matter with the Filipinos internally.

source: interaksyon.com

Filipino nurses tapped by leading hospital in Bangladesh

MANILA, Philippines - A leading hospital in Bangladesh will be hiring Filipino nurses to work at their facility in the country’s capital, Dhaka, the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka reported.

Brig. Gen.(Retd) Shahidul Islam and Dr. Salahuddin Ahmed, Director of Operation and Administration, and Chief Coordinator for Development, respectively, of the United Hospital, informed Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Bahnarim A. Guinomla, at a courtesy call at the Embassy, that the recruitment of Filipino medical workers is in progress, especially the documentation requirements.

Dr. Ahmed visited the Philippines recently to start interviewing applicants in Manila.

Ambassador Guinomla described the move of the hospital as a ground-breaking development, as most Filipino nurses work in more developed markets; and that Bangladesh itself sends workers overseas.

The ambassador thanked both Brig. Gen. Islam and Dr. Ahmed for their confidence in the widely-proven skills and reliability of Filipino medical workers.

The hospital plans to assign the successful applicants to the so-called critical areas including emergencies and intensive care cases or the so-called Basic Life Support (BLS) work.

In a letter to Guinomla, Managing Director Faridur Rahman Khan described United Hospital as a multi-disciplinary hospital providing services to both local and foreign patients, especially those from the diplomatic area in Dhaka, since its inception in August 2006.

source: interaksyon.com

Pinay nurses in Austria lauded for contribution to healthcare

Austrian Federal Minister for Labor, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection Rudolf Hundstorfer praised Filipino nurses in Austria for their “very important contribution” to their host country’s healthcare system.

In his remarks during the 10th anniversary of the Philippine Nurses Association Austria on December 3, Hundstorfer "thanked the Filipino nurses in Austria for their very important contribution to the country’s healthcare system," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Hundstorfer noted that a good healthcare system was "one of the criteria in the 2011 Quality of Living survey set by the global consulting firm Mercer in choosing Vienna as the best place to live in the world for three consecutive years,” the DFA said.

Hundstorfer and Philippine Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre were the special guests at the event.

Yparraguirre lauded the nurses for their “hard work, high skills and dedication” that helped open the gates for other nurses from the Philippines to go to Austria.

“Under a bilateral agreement, Filipino nurses came to Austria, first in trickle, then in groups. In virtually every corner of this country, there is nothing but praise for Filipino nurses. And many Austrians who have never heard of the Philippines learn about us through the most positive examples - you! Our nurses overseas are truly some of the best ambassadors of the Filipino people,” she said.

She likewise highlighted the recognition awarded by the City of Vienna to Filipino and Filipino-Austrian nurses and caregivers for their long years of dedicated services to the health sector of Austria.

The DFA said there are about 30,000 Filipino-Austrians in Austria. - VVP, GMA News

source:gmanetwork.com