Ambassador Manalo Lauds Health And Care Workers, Including Migrant Workers

At the launch of the Joint Statement in support of the International Year of Health and Care Workers, Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo urges the international community to continue working towards sustainable and resilient health systems to support health and care workers (Photo from NYPM)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 28 June 2021– “The pandemic has greatly impacted them in view of their critical role in the frontlines of both global and national COVID-19 responses. Many have paid a great cost, some with their lives,” Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, stated as he paid tribute to the dedication and selflessness of health and care workers all over the world, including Filipino migrant health and care workers at the launch of the Joint Statement in support of the International Year of Health and Care Workers at the United Nations General Assembly held on 22 June 2021.

Ambassador Manalo reiterated the call for the inclusion of migrants, irrespective of their migration status, in national vaccination plans and recovery programs of both destination and origin countries. He also reaffirmed Philippine support for the implementation of the Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel to ensure that migrant populations are not excluded from universal health coverage and that the needs of domestic health systems are not duly undermined by the migration of skilled and professional health workers. Ambassador Manalo informed the meeting that the Government updated the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 following the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and enacted laws to enhance the social protection afforded to overseas Filipinos.

In his remarks, Mr. Volkan Bozir, President of the UN General Assembly, called on Member States to enhance and promote the safety and protection of medical personnel. “We must protect those who protect us. Health and care workers must have the necessary equipment to ensure occupational safety. Prioritization of health and care workers for vaccination, and their protection against violence, stigma, harassment, and attacks are key. They must have access to mental health and psychosocial support resources. They are entitled to decent work environments,” Mr. Bozkir added.

In a pre-recorded video, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that WHO has designated 2021 as the International Year of Health and Care Workers with the theme “Protect. Invest. Together.” He stated that “health and care workers are not only the foundation of universal health coverage and primary health care but the foundation of every country’s emergency preparedness and response.”

The Joint Statement initiated by Brazil, Georgia, Japan, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey, recognized the efforts made by health workers in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the importance of providing all health and care workers the necessary protection and support they need. A total of 130 delegations co-sponsored the Joint Statement, including the Philippines. END

For more information, visit https://www.un.int/philippines/