Filipino healthcare workers have been experiencing something called “Covid-19 fatigue,” which they say has taken a toll on their physical and mental wellbeing.
These healthcare workers have been looking after patients round the clock, pulling double shifts and having to spend their days off at the hospital. The situation has only worsened with new variants of the virus burdening the health care system.
Enilo Palao Jr, a Filipino nurse who contracted Covid-19 last year, said that he was urged to help more people after recovering from the illness. Palao said patience at work has been a trademark of many Filipino front line workers.
“Filipino nurses, they are very compassionate when it comes to their nursing profession,” Palao Jr. told OMNI News.
“We would work harder, even though there’s a threat to our life,” said Enilo Palao Jr, who works as a nurse in the general medicinal unit. pic.twitter.com/azyEOzJcgG
— OMNI Filipino (@OMNIFilipino) March 23, 2021
“We would still show up to work and work even harder even if we know that the virus is a threat to our health.”
Exhaustion from work has often led to some wanting to leave their jobs, but being appreciated for their service is just one of the many reasons why the nurses keep choosing to show up and work even harder.
Julius Laureta who works as a nurse in a dialysis unit. He said he’s still passionate about his career, even after being burdened under the heavier workload brought about by the pandemic.
“With this pandemic, my motivation to go to work is because of my love for my profession and my love for helping other people especially those who are sick,” Laureta said.
But even with all the praise and appreciation for their courage and service, many healthcare workers are experiencing Covid fatigue. On average, nurses spend 12 hours per shift wearing full PPEs(personal protective equipment) to keep them from getting the virus. However, aside from physical exhaustion, many of them are mentally drained as well.
Carmelita Vaz has worked as a nurse for over a decade.
“I can’t even function inside the house in my day off,” Vaz said.
“So yes, it’s not healthy and I’m hoping that the government can help us with our issues right now, with the fatigue.”
This is just one of the many issues that healthcare worker unions were seen fighting for at a rally at Queens Park in Toronto earlier this week. They are calling for respect, protection, and pay – fair compensation for frontline workers.
