MANILA - A health care worker at San Lazaro Hospital on Saturday deplored the slow paced action of the hospital management regarding the provision of protective equipment.
Jaymee De Guzman, a staff nurse of the hospital who also belongs to Filipino Nurses United, told ABS-CBN TeleRadyo claimed they were provided the wrong type of N95 mask at work.
"Despite the statement of DOH (Department of Health) na adequate yung N95 namin, they gave us like, 3 days ago, 4,000 N95 as supplies sa San Lazaro," she said.
"We were happy. But unfortunately, when we took a look at the supply po, it was industrial grade. Maraming klase ng N95 kasi, and what you need to fight this virus is the medical one, yung may filter for viruses. (Yung industrial) is more on dust, other chemicals. Hindi po actually (nakakafilter ng viruses)."
De Guzman said they have reached a critical situation as there are already 60 positive COVID-19 cases among medical workers this month in the hospital.
Of them, 46 are confined, comprising 70 percent of admitted COVID-19 patients in the hospital.
"As of last week, for July, we have 40 positive cases. Up to now, umabot na ng 60 positive cases for the month of July alone," she said.
One of the reasons for the spread is the lack of medical supplies needed to combat the disease.
"Before po kaming nabigyan, talagang sobrang tinipid po kami sa N95... So, isang N95 lang po for the whole 12 hours na shift. Pagsinuot n'yo sa overalls n'yo, literally, maiinom nyo ang sarili n'yong pawis," lamented De Guzman.
Medical workers on Thursday staged a silent protest outside the COVID-19 referral facility's building to renew their plea for better working conditions.
They were able to talk to the hospital management, who blamed the slow process of paper work for the lack of supplies.
"This virus was not around just yesterday... Hindi naman din last month lang... Pero, hindi mo ma feel na urgent (ang aksyon), hindi mo maramdaman. There was so much time to plan it out," said De Guzman.
San Lazaro Hospital, COVID-19, Alliance of Health Workers, Filipino Nurses United, Philippine health workers, Philippine healthcare workers