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Envoy appeals US blacklisting of Pinoy PT grads

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:24:16 +0000

The Philippines’ ambassador to the United States is urging American licensure authorities to defer the implementation of a 1-year ban on Filipino physical therapy (PT) graduates who want to take the US National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

In a press release, Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa said he is asking the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, which administers the NPTE, to allow Filipino PT graduates who are already in the US to take the test.

The FSBPT earlier announced it is suspending the licensure tests for PT graduates from the Philippines, Egypt, India, and Pakistan until fall of next year after discovering “systematic and methodical sharing of recalled questions by significant numbers of graduates of programs in the affected countries.”

The organization said it imposed the ban on Filipino PT graduates after discovering that St. Louis Review Center in Manila was sharing “hundreds of live test items” to students who were taking up their review classes.

The FSBPT is pursuing a lawsuit against the center and its alleged owners/operators, Gerard L. Martin, Roger P. Tong-an and Carlito Balita.

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Judge Sides With Pinoy Nurse Fired For Speaking in Tagalog

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:58:37 +0000

FAIRFAX, Virginia – The Maryland Department of Labor reversed an order that withheld unemployment benefits from one of three Filipina nurses who were fired from a Baltimore hospital for speaking Tagalog.

Administrative judge Stuart Breslow sided with the nurses when he said in his ruling that no patient was ever put in danger when they spoke Tagalog during their break.

Breslow said Filipina nurse Corina Yap should be eligible to receive jobless benefits. The Labor Department earlier said Yap could not receive unemployment benefits because she was fired for grave misconduct.

Four Filipino employees of the Bon Secours Hospital were fired in April, for allegedly violating the hospital’s English-only policy while on duty at the emergency room.

Nurses Anna Rosales, Hachelle Natano, Yap and employee Jazziel Granada however claim they spoke Tagalog only during breaks. Breslow also said any lapses on the part of the nurses were accidental.

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Pinoy PTs dreams crushed after US exam ban

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:09:41 +0000

Filipinos here and back home are venting their dismay, distress and in many instances, seething anger over a US group’s decision to stop licensure examinations for physical therapists from the Philippines and 3 other countries.

“I was so frustrated because my brother is one of those affected,” Michael Lange of Miami, Florida wrote ABS-CBN’s Balitang America.

“Our hopes of seeing my brother in the US is gone,” he said, appealing for help.

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) suspended last July 11 the National Physical Therapist Examinations (NPTE) for graduates from the Philippines, Egypt, India and Pakistan.

“You can’t stop yourself from thinking they are discriminating against the four countries,” said Eileen Decesare, president of Virginia-based Professional Healthcare Resources.

The Philippines, China and India are the top suppliers of physical therapists in the US.

“Everybody is taking the same test, so why don’t they look at everybody because they are punishing only these four countries,” she averred, adding, “you begin to wonder what is the underlying reason.”

The FSBPT cited a “breach of security” for suspending the NPTE.

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More than five million people receiving HIV treatment

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:25:38 +0000

WHO advises earlier treatment among people with HIV

19 JULY 2010 | GENEVA | VIENNA — An estimated 5.2 million people in low and middle-income countries were receiving life-saving HIV treatment at the end of 2009, according to the latest update from WHO.

WHO estimates that 1.2 million people started treatment in 2009, bringing the total number of people receiving treatment to 5.2 million, compared to 4 million at the end of 2008.

“This is the largest increase in people accessing treatment in a single year. It is an extremely encouraging development,” says Dr Hiroki Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases.

At the XVIII International AIDS Conference, WHO is calling for earlier treatment for people with HIV. The objective is to begin HIV treatment before they become ill because of weakened immunity.

“Starting treatment earlier gives us an opportunity to enable people living with HIV to stay healthier and live longer,” says Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, WHO Director of HIV/AIDS.

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Top 10 Jobs Abroad In The Next 5 Years

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:24:23 +0000

Top 10 jobs in the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore today and/or over the next five years

United Kingdom 1

Data communications analyst
Marketing officer
Software engineer
Medical administrator
Community nurse
Advertising executive
Customer service assistant
Information officer
Administrator
Engineer

CANADA 2

Financial manager
Skilled tradesperson 5
Community college or vocational school teacher
Dentist or dental hygienist
Computer and information systems managers
University professor
Human resource specialist
Pharmacist
Registered nurse
Retail manager

AUSTRALIA 3

Organic farming specialist 6
Investment banker, securities broker
Mining worker 7
Online information service
Child care manager
Veterinarian
Financial planner, investment advisor
Accountant
Medical/hospital professional 8
Biotechnologist

SINGAPORE 4

Computer & information systems manager
Editor (newspaper & periodicals)
Business management consultant
Legal professional 9
Research & development manager
Futures trader, broker
Advertising creative director
Physicians, surgeons
Commercial airline pilot, flight inspector
Fund manager

1 Source: Alec.co.Uk
2 Source: canadianliving. com
3 Source: IBISWorld
4 Source: HubPages
5 Includes chef, electrician, carpenter, plumber, aviation technician, auto technician, industrial mechanic, etc.
6 Includes ecologist, biodynamic farming specialist, researcher, etc.
7 Includes chemical and material engineer, geologist, surveyor, cartographer, electrician, welder, safety inspector, etc.
8 Includes surgeon, anaesthetist, pediatrician, nurse, occupational therapist, medical technician, radiologist, ambulance officer, etc.
9 Includes lawyer, advocate, solicitor, etc.

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Pinoy Nurses Seeking US Jobs Fell By 1/3 in First Half

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:23:15 +0000

The number of Pinoy nurses seeking to practice their profession in America fell by one-third in the first semester compared to a year ago, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said in a news release over the weekend.

TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera said only 5,553 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time from January to June, down 2,719 or 33 percent from 8,272 in the same period of 2009.

The NCLEX refers to the licensure examination administered by the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc.

The number of Filipino nurses taking the NCLEX for the first time is a reliable indicator as to how many of them are trying to enter the profession in the US, according to Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development.

Manila-based labor recruitment agencies previously reported that more Filipino nurses are now leaving for the United Kingdom than those going to the US.

According to Herrera

Filipino nurses and other highly skilled professionals will go to foreign labor markets where it is easier for them to enter and work, and where they will get the best reward in terms of pay and other benefits. Depending on their personal circumstances, professional qualifications and the job offers they’ve received, some Filipino nurses find it easier to work in the America, while others prefer to be employed in the UK, Saudi Arabia or elsewhere.

But there is no question that in absolute terms, more Filipino nurses are still seeking employment in the US than elsewhere. This is primarily due to our strong cultural attachment to America.

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WHO launches Global Network of Age-friendly Cities

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:29:27 +0000

Urban environments that allow older people to remain active and healthy

WHO launches the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities as part of a broader response to the rapid ageing of populations. Populations in almost every corner of the world are growing older. The greatest changes are occurring in less-developed countries. By 2050, it is estimated that 80% of the expected 2 billion people aged 60 years or over will live in low or middle income countries. The Network aims to help cities create urban environments that allow older people to remain active and healthy participants in society. Positive contribution of older people

While the response to population ageing has often focussed on the implications for governments of increasing demand for pensions and health care, WHO tries to place more emphasis on the positive contributions older people make to society. “Older people are a vital, and often overlooked, resource for families and for society.” said Dr John Beard. Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course at WHO ” Their contribution will only be fully realised if they maintain their health and if the barriers that prevent them engaging in family and community life are broken down”.
Supporting active and healthy ageing

The WHO Age-friendly Cities initiative began in 2006 by identifying the key elements of the urban environment that support active and healthy ageing. Research from 33 cities, confirmed the importance for older people of access to public transport, outdoor spaces and buildings, as well as the need for appropriate housing, community support and health services. But it also highlighted the need to foster the connections that allow older people to be active participants in society, to overcome ageism and to provide greater opportunities for civic participation and employment.
Cities wishing to join the global network

The Global Network builds on these principles but takes them a significant step further by requiring participating cities to commence an ongoing process of assessment and implementation. Network members are committed to taking active steps to creating a better environment for their older residents.

Since invitations to join the Network were sent out last December, WHO has been swamped by responses. Many individual cities, both large and small have formally applied to join the Network. WHO has also established formal agreements with the French government, the Irish Ageing Well Network and the Slovenian Network of Age-friendly Cities to develop affiliated national programmes. The China National Committee on Ageing has also indicated interest in developing a national programme, and 5 Canadian Provinces are running complementary initiatives.

Participating cities

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The Nursing Profession Under Siege

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:48:40 +0000

An estimated 187,000 Filipino nurses are unemployed. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) says these nurses are competing for some 70,000 nursing positions in private and public hospitals. But as if that were not enough, the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) admits the problem of unemployment in the nursing profession may just have gotten bigger.

According to PNA President Dr. Tita Barcelo

Another 92,000 nursing students took the board exams last Saturday. By statistics, 50% or less would pass, so you could expect [at least] 35,000 to be added to the swelling number of unemployed.

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Filipina Nurse Wins Leadership Award in New York City

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:59:35 +0000

It is common knowledge that Filipina nurses working abroad are well-liked by patients because of their efficient performance. Most of all, they have gentle touch and innate kindness.

One of these nurses is Belina Diaz-Perez, nurse manager of the Coronary Care Unit of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. She recently received the prestigious Nurse Leadership Award 2010 during Nurses Week Celebration on May 9-13.

She was cited for her significant contributions to nursing practice at Mt. Sinai Hospital. A graduate of St. Paul School of Nursing of Iloilo and St. Paul College of Manila, Perez has worked with Mt. Sinai for over 30 years. She is an active officer of the Capiceno Circle US. She lives in Teaneck, New Jersey with her husband Ricardo Perez where they’ve raised two daughters, lawyer Anabelle Perez-Gray and Dr. Rosalyn Perez.

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Nursing Out, Agribusiness In As Top Job Generator

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:47:48 +0000

Nursing is out, agribusiness is in.

Students who want to land local jobs easily after graduation should take note of the country’s key employment generators in the next five to 10 years, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

The Labor Department said agribusiness topped the list of key employment generators in its study of the labor market in various regions in the next five to 10 years.

Other industries that will demand labor in the near future include: cyberservices, health and wellness, hotel and restaurant, medical tourism, mining, construction, finance, manufacturing, real estate, transport and logistics, retail, and overseas work.

Emerging industries in the country in next 10 years are creative industries, strategic farming and fishing, power and utilities and renewable energy, according to the Labor department’s Project JobsFit study.

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