MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday filed a bill seeking to protect health workers, frontliners, and patients from discrimination, harassment, and violence as the country grapples with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 1436 or the “Mandatory Protection of Health Workers, Frontliners and Patients Act” aims to address threats and acts of violence and harassment against health workers and patients in their respective communities. “Discrimination against health workers is a crime against public health,” she added. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which Hontiveros also co-authored. Now, more than ever, we need to protect our health workers and frontliners,” she added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 16, 2020 03:00 UTC