Why are so many Filipino health workers dying of Covid19? - BBC Newsnight

Newsnight has learned that the Filipino Nurses UK Association has written to the Chief Nursing Officer, Ruth May, asking for urgent action after figures emerged suggesting around one in 5 of NHS and health care workers who have died are from The Philippines.

This is despite Filipino workers making up less than 2% of the NHs workforce.

Francis Fernando of the Filipino Nurses UK Association, told Newsnight he thinks “Filipino workers are being taken advantage of” and they are afraid that they’ll be reprimanded if they speak out.

Emerging evidence suggests that Covid-19 is having a disproportionate effect on Black Asian and minority ethnic communities in Britain.

Yesterday the NHS announced a risk assessment process for BAME health workers and new guidance was issued, but campaigners believe more urgency is needed.

Why are filipino deaths so high, and what is it like for those working on the front line?

James Clayton reports

#Coronavirus #Covid #Health

Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

[kerryhorwitz]

I have been seriously ill for years. When I heard Filipino nurses were more likely to die my heart broke, but I was not surprised. Filipino nurses are the best nurses in the world. They work harder and have compassion and respect for their patients, so they are more likely to interact with them.

It isn't politically correct to point to cultural differences, but they exist. Filipino people are likely to be religious, and they wear their Catholic faith beautifully. They are humble people. Humility being the entrance to so many virtues.

I am so sorry this is happening. I pray we will do all we can to save the lives of Filipino nurses.

Just as Filipino nurses have saved my life so many times.

[HoyTaraTravel]

My Filipino nurse friend told me “In our profession, there is no room to refuse because this is a sworn obligation to serve humanity as we nurses pledged - it was our duty to work as a frontliner.”
I just hope their dedication will not be subjected to abuse.

[shishiyo]

I work for the nhs, i dont want people to clap for frontliners, i dont want the £60k if an nhs worker dies from covid. Just provide proper ppes! They keep saying normal plastic aprons and surgical masks are okay to use as long as the treatment does not include aerosoles but people are still getting sick! I just want full body gowns, m3 facemasks and eye protection. I or my family dont need incentives or compensation. We want to stay alive and stay healthy

[deniseglover]

Filipino Nurses are the most Caring and most Compassionate of all the Nurses in the World they work hard and never complain HIGHLY UNDERATED

[darwinmarquez]

a nurse without PPE...is like a warrior without an armor.sending them to battle is like a suicide mission...they fight to death without complained ...I CRIED.... Modern heroes...

[Butter_bread_]

Filipinos are the nicest people ever. My boyfriend is Filipino and everyone I met through him are the nicest people.

[jackomile]

I have been a Staff Nurse in the UK since 2002 and Filipino Nurses are the most hard working People I have ever met. They are like machines, working full time plus bank shifts without complaining, always willing to help out. I am very, very sad to hear this and I am worried about all my Filipino Colleagues that I have worked with over the years in England and Scotland.

[clairecats]

I worked with Filipino they are very hard working indeed

[ORLENJAMESTV]

They work without complaining and you used that opportunity to even put their life in risk.

[thevoicebehind]

Filipinos nurses and doctors are fighting this pandemic in almost all corners of the world. They are the world's frontliners. My heart goes out to them and their loved ones..

[elenaphillips]

2 years ago I was hospitalised and in the middle of the night I heard someone singing at the hospital, I learnt that there is this nurse who sung for his patients to help ease the pain they are suffering, I was touched by it this nurse is a Filipino

[ichigomgx]

The ones who don’t complain are the older Filipinos, the new generation of Filipinos aren’t. We're more vocal. We're not pushovers. We have a voice and we're going to use it. It’s about time!

[kanduyog]

I hope Filipinos after this stop romanticizing being OFW's, we send our countrymen abroad yet they always suffer. Smh

[gaijinph]

As i see it, along with first hand accounts in the comments, that the British does see their Filipino NHS workers as Disposable assets.

[donald.]

Lack of PPE was the reason why they are dying... Government should step up to protect our NHS...

[juneharvey]

They are the hardest workers I have ever known while working in NHS and Care homes with them.

[tonydecastro]

there are 20, 000 Filipino health care personnel in the NHS. if they all stopped working, the NHS would collapse.

[glimpseofparadise]

I'm a Filipina USRN. I think the very first and most important thing I've learned when I started working was finding voice and speaking up. This field taught me that we're all just numbers and to become significant, you have to step up, be firm and speak up. We work hard but you also have to love and take care of yourself first before you can give. You are your asset, if you lose yourself in the process, you'll lose everything you've worked hard for. Do not depend on any gov't to save you all the time. Always have backup plans.

[Beckiner]

This is heart breaking. No one should be afraid to go to work. My heart goes out to the families of all the deceased.😥

[lucillebaltazar]

Pray for the safety of all Filipino frontliners around the world.God Bless to all.