Bongbong Marcos mulls nursing partnerships with US

In many hospitals around the world, Filipino nurses are on the front lines, often also among the first to get infected with virus. (Photo from AFP via The Straits Times/Asia News Network)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos discussed with a United States lawmaker the different ways Philippines and US could strengthen their nursing industries, according to Malacañang on Wednesday.

The President had received as guest Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois on Tuesday.

They talked about forging an agreement that will be mutually beneficial to nurses in both of their countries.

“I think, at every level in our healthcare system, and much of the reason behind that, is the talent leaving the Philippines to find better positions. But certainly, we should examine that,” Marcos told Duckworth.

He also said the massive migration of Filipino nurses to the US had long caused a brain drain back in the Philippines.

“We do have a problem with our nurses leaving and going abroad and finding good jobs abroad. And we certainly encourage that. We’re not about to hold them back,” the Chief Executive said.

“But we need to find these new schemes so that the brain drain is not quite severe as it is now. We have a shortage,” he lamented.

For her part, the senator considered the possibility of sending American nursing students to the Philippines.

Duckworth noted the lack nursing educators in the US.

“You know, it would be really interesting to see if we could send American students to nursing schools in the Philippines because, obviously, you’re teaching to a standard that they can meet licensure in the US,” she observed.

“(But) we don’t have enough nursing programs in the United States,” she pointed out.

Aside from healthcare, Marcos and Duckworth also tackled issues on trade and investment opportunities.

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