Don't blame healthcare workers who have left

INQ7.net
Last updated 07:04am (Mla time) 12/06/2006

I AM a registered nurse here in Los Angeles, California. As a nurse, I served our country for five years before I came here. I am familiar with our healthcare system.

I am responding to the article "Filipino kids pay the price of doctors, nurses exodus." I think that headline sounds as though because of the exodus we are the main contributor to the problem. The thing is that the problem was there even before this exodus.

I think the headline should be "Lack of sufficient budget and government resources prevents saving of Filipino kids' lives." We nurses should not be blamed for what is happening in our healthcare system. It is the unavailability of descent job for healthcare workers that is to blame. There are still a lot of unemployed nurses there. The main cause of this problem is the way the government runs our healthcare system.

I have more to say but I am working right now -- not for myself but for my family that relies on my being here. I am working to help in the future of our kids. In this way I am also saving lifes.

HENRY YARANON, PO BOX 36 1231 Los Angeles, California (via e-mail)