MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has asked the government to clarify two of its recent pronouncements on the fight against COVID-19 — the deployment ban on health care workers and the disclosure of patients’ personal information. Previously, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued a directive banning the deployment of health workers, for them to help the Philippine government first. ADVERTISEMENTOn the other hand, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said that COVID-19 patients are now required to disclose their personal information. On the side of the health workers, CHR said that the government should realize the ill effects of the deployment ban, especially for those who are working under a contract overseas. IATF Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles meanwhile clarified that the information divulged by COVID-19 patients would not be made public.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 13, 2020 10:18 UTC