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| Photo courtesy of Facebook @DFA |
With the current health crisis we are experienceing right now because of the dreaded corona virus also known as the COVID-19, many have lost their lives including our medical frontliners.
Many of our frontliners working here in our country or even overseas, have been dedicating their lives in the honor of their sworn duty to care for the sickest especially the ones affected by the corona virus pandemic.*
And when it come to dedication to work, nothing can surpass the talent, dedication and hardwork of our Filipino nurses and other medical workers overseas.
We have been in demand to most countries all over the world because Filipino nurses are known to give full dedication to their work and special care for their patients.
There have been a handful of dedicated Filipino healthcare heroes serving in different corners of the world to narrate their sacrifices, challenges and what makes them embrace, with a willing heart, the difficulties and trials and what they do to deserve being embraced back by a grateful society and the world.
And as a great example of their hardwork and dedication, two Filipinos were among the 100 nurses honored by the Nurses’ Merit Award (NMA) Singapore last last July 8, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). *
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| Photos courtesy of The Manila Times and Facebook |
According to an article by The Manila Times, Ms. Arlene Dergam Aleta, Nurse Manager at the St. Andrew’s Community Hospital, and Mr. Niel Caderao Cahatian, Assistant Nurse Manager at the All Saints Home were the recipients one of the most prestigious award for nurses in Singapore.
The NMA awardees will each receive a medal and cash prize of $1,000, the DFA said in a public statement.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Twitter, called Aleta and Cahatian “heroes overseas” and congratulated them for “making us proud”.
The NMA which started in 1976, is awarded to nurses who have displayed “noteworthy and exceptional performance, participated in professional development, and contributed to raising the standard of the nursing profession,” the DFA said.
Nurses are nominated for the award by their healthcare institutions and selected by a panel set up by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH). *
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| Photo courtesy of Singapore Nurses Association |
The award recipients come from public healthcare institutions, the intermediate and long-term care sector, and private hospitals.
Each received a medal, to be worn as part of the nurses’ uniform, and a cash award of $1,000, which can be used to support their professional and personal development and learning.
The awarding of NMA this year comes at a time when the nursing profession in Singapore marks its 135th anniversary.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
“Filipino nurses have always been known for their dedication, professionalism, and technical capability worldwide. The NMA recognition accorded to Ms. Aleta and Mr. Cahatian is another testament to that." Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap said.
"As Filipino nurses find themselves at the frontlines all over the world bravely participating in the global fight against COVID-19, may this award inspire all Filipino nurses to continue to uphold the highest standards in their profession,” Ambassador Yap added.
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| Photo courtesy of Facebook @All Saints Home |
