Filipino Health Care Workers Show the Contribution of Newcomers to Canada

Filipino Health Care Workers Show the Contribution of Newcomers in helping to save Canadian lives during COVID-19

According to the WHO, on December 31st of 2019, WHO’s Country Office in the People’s Republic of China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China. The Country Office notified the International Health Regulations (IHR) focal point in the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office about the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission media statement of the cases and provided a translation of it. WHO’s Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) platform also picked up a media report on ProMED, a programme of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, about the same cluster of cases of “pneumonia of unknown cause” in Wuhan. Several other health authorities from around the world also contacted the WHO seeking additional information.

The New Year, 2020, arrived and with it came COVID-19. No one expected that the virus would spread so rapidly, infecting millions of people around the world. In one of my classes, my professor gave a lecture explaining that one of the most destructive weapons ever used on earth is germs or viruses, known as biological weapons. The COVID-19 public health crisis, that the whole world is facing today, in an eerie way, reminds me of that lesson.

Our health care workers across the country play a critical role in the COVID-19 pandemic because they are at the frontlines, like soldiers, battling this virus and trying to save lives. These courageous workers are putting their own lives at risk to protect everyone else. Their bravery and commitment have given me a reason to remain positive during these adverse times. Their examples have also taught me to have compassion for everyone during this pandemic, and to spread hope, not fear. Among these Canadian health care workers, are many who come from Filipino backgrounds.

According to the Philippine Embassy, Ontario remains the province with the most number of Filipinos in Canada, with their numbers increasing by 14.2% from 295,700 to 337,760 or 40.3%

As a Filipina immigrant, most Filipinos that I know work in health care facilities or as caregivers. Our culture is one that values caring, nurturing and compassion, especially for the elderly. In my household alone, my mom works as a caregiver while my sister wants to be a nurse. I am proud of my kababayans or my fellow Filipinos and Filipinas, who are working as health care workers, helping to combat this virus.

One of my sources, a Filipina nurse, told me that every two weeks the staff at her institution must undergo a COVID-19 swab test. It is not a comfortable procedure but one that health care workers do diligently to protect patients, families, colleagues and themselves. This made me realize how challenging their situation is, and it instills in me not to complain about the things that this pandemic has impeded me from doing.

Another interesting fact that I found in the course of my research, is that immigrants account for a growing percentage of nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates here in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, in 2016, of the 245,500 that were employed as nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates, more than a third (87,925) were immigrants.

Black and Filipino women are highly overrepresented among nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates. Immigrants working as nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates were especially likely to belong to certain visible minority population groups. In 2016, 30% of immigrants working in these occupations were Black, and 30% were Filipino. The data shows that there are more immigrants working in the health care system and providing care especially during this time of pandemic. As a result, the Philippines has become the biggest source of healthcare workers. Over 30 percent of internationally educated nurses and 85 percent of live-in caregivers in Canada are from the Philippines.

On April 2, the Philippine government issued an order to stop healthcare workers from going abroad. The temporary deployment ban was put in place with the intention of retaining, rather than exporting, healthcare workers in their home country to help in the struggle to fight COVID-19. Yet, Canada needs more nurses in response to this pandemic. Concerns for the number of available healthcare workers come as the novel coronavirus has gained a foothold in so many long-term care homes where staff shortages existed even before the pandemic. This means that during this pandemic, health care workers have become an invaluable asset, because everyone needs them.

Jirene Alday, a Filipina nurse who works at an elder care facility, spoke about the current situation there and how the staff help their patients who suffer with dementia, to manage stress and fear during the pandemic. She explained: “Visitors aren’t allowed into the facility anymore since a COVID-19 outbreak in one of our partner units, because we need to prevent the spread of the virus. It creates a complex situation because sometimes dementia patients become stressed and lose control, frustrated that they cannot see their families. Even if we explain the situation to our patients, they forget what we tell them after just a few minutes. Their dementia prevents them from remembering things. They want to go home again, or they will wander. As nurses, we manage the fear and anxiety of our patients by helping them to contact their families by phone call or by Facetime. And we regularly reassure them, even though they will not remember, that they are safe during this pandemic.”

Jirene Alday, one of many Filipina nurses across Canada, in her personal protective equipment, doing her part to care for patients and to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

I take pride in all the Filipino health workers serving and risking their lives throughout this pandemic. So many of them are far away from their own families, on the front lines in different countries around the world, including here in Canada, caring for others. They demonstrate how much our culture respects and values the elderly. They show what kindness and caring mean during this time of difficulties. They are proof that newcomers to our nation serve our communities with compassion and dedication. I salute the newcomers to Canada who dedicate themselves to the caring and protection of all members of our society.

As members of the community, we must also do our part to help our health care workers in preventing the spread of this virus by merely obeying the rules and regulations. Our simple acts of wearing masks, hand-washing and social distancing can help save lives and protect our valuable health care workers who we need to care for us in times of duress. Maybe with our collective efforts we can start a new year free of this pandemic.

Aiza Teofilo

Carleton University Student