Of the 12,904 affected health care workers, 12,622 have fortunately recovered from the illness. However, 206 remain infected, with some being hospitalized for treatment and 76 health care workers have died, according to the DoLE data. Bello reported that the ECC had released a total of P20.7 million in compensation for the 2,000 affected health care workers who were able to claim it. It may be that health care workers were simply not aware that they were eligible for EC benefits and did not apply for them, but we think this is unlikely. We urge, nay, demand, that the responsible agencies act immediately to properly carry out this grave and non-negotiable duty of the state towards our health care workers.

Source: Manila Times December 23, 2020 17:02 UTC