WHAT do we make of the perceived anemic pandemic response of the government? Have we effectively strengthened the public healthcare system? It seems that the situation only worsens the economic crisis the Filipino people endure every day.
Continuing with militarist lockdowns without a corresponding comprehensive health response and adequate economic support for the most affected and vulnerable sectors in our society does little to help strengthen our healthcare system, further burdens the already hungry Filipino family, and is a dishonor to our hardworking frontline healthcare workers.
Lockdowns have been the standard knee-jerk reaction towards the worsening health crisis instead of ramping up the country’s healthcare system. Have we increased the country’s testing capacity, efficiently conducted contact tracing, established more healthcare facilities for isolation and treatment, and hired more doctors, nurses and healthcare workers with adequate and just compensation and benefits?
The continuing rise in the number of deaths as well as positive and active COVID-19 cases after more than a year since the first reported case in the country shows how much of a failure the administration’s pandemic response is. Yet, the government still continues the same failed strategy of a militarist lockdown with little to no aid for our workers, alarmingly low testing rates, inefficient contact tracing, limited isolation and quarantine facilities and slow vaccination program. Since the first reported case of COVID in the country, our healthcare workers and the people have demanded for mass health education, mass testing, effective contact tracing, proper isolation and quarantine measures and mass hiring of health personnel.
As we face yet another surge of COVID-19 cases, the government must listen to the demands of the people. End the militarist response to a health crisis, impose a medical and socio-economic response that is comprehensive, decisive, and transparent. Continuing to neglect these basic demands to address the worsening pandemic situation in the country dishonors our frontline healthcare workers.
