Analysis of Devolution and Its Impact on Government Employed Nurses in the Public Health and Hospital Setting

Abstract

Health is a universal right (SDG 3) and health is political, but health should be shielded from political factors to ensure continuity. The issues of governance amid the priorities of the CEOs are very much apparent and bring with it the increased burden being trickled down not just to our health workers, but also to the wider community who consumes the health services. The study aimed to explore the effects of devolution in health service delivery amid the COVID-19 pandemic for both the public health setting and the government hospital setting. This study deployed interviews with various representatives from the health sector. It tackled questions relating to Health Financing, Health Personnel Deployment, Health Service Delivery, and Overall COVID Response. The results of the study yielded that the Public Health setting and the Government Hospital Setting in Manila both experienced problems with health service delivery due to the onset of the pandemic which crippled many of their personnel due to burnout, anxiety, and COVID scares. The budgetary considerations for both settings were also tied to health services and personnel which ultimately were dependent on budgeting from the national and local governments which were at risk of cuts. The overall COVID response allowed the researcher to see that the shock of the pandemic jolted the creation of COVID Isolation Facilities, COVID Wards, and the delay in certain workers’ wages and benefits all through lack of funding. The call for a more people-centered health system is hinged on the calls for health reform policies and better governance from elected and appointed officials alike. This ensures the continuity of care for not just the communities but also alleviates the burden of the health workers.