IATF reiterates no deployment of healthcare workers abroad while under state of public health emergency

August 18, 2020

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has reiterated the government's policy of temporarily banning deployment of healthcare workers abroad.

"Considering the continuing State of Public Health Emergency, the overseas deployment of the medical and allied health workers are hereby temporarily suspended," said IATF Resolution No. 64 issued on August 17.

The suspension is pursuant to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Governing Board Resolution No. 09, series of 2020.

The task force enjoined the Department of Health and all hospitals and healthcare facilities of local government units and entities to hire the medical and allied health workers to supplement their current workforce.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., in a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, said over 2,000 healthcare Filipino overseas workers who were repatriated are  being tapped by the DOH under the government's recruitment program.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in the same press briefing, said health workers who want to be deployed in any hospital in the country could apply online.

"We have a saying, 'Charity begins at home'. We need the doctors and allied medical professionals now. Let's stay for a while in our country," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS