Statement of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on the discrimination, intimidation, and violence against healthcare workers

This Labor Day we are one with our health care workers (HCWs) who are continuously fulfilling their sworn duty to serve and promote the right to quality and equitable health of Filipinos.

After our consultation without HCWs, we have been notified on incidents of discrimination, intimidation, and violence against our HCWs including cases of red-tagging for simply asking for better benefits and pay.

Now more than ever HCWs play a crucial role in our COVID-19 response. We stand against any form of discrimination, intimidation, and violence against them.

These acts will not be tolerated. We will hold perpetrators of these acts accountable and will collate reports from our HCWs for proper investigation and resolution.

Apart from ensuring the safety of our HCWs, we continue to strive for better compensation and benefits befitting their service and sacrifices for our nation.

It is not enough that we thank our HCWs for their bravery during this pandemic, we have to protect them too. The DOH calls on the public and other government agencies to stand up for our health care workers and protect them against any form of discrimination, intimidation, and violence. Together with our health care workers, let us unite to defeat COVID-19.

(Press Release)

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