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| Acting Head of Post Sheila Arnesto says non-locally trained Filipino nurses may soon work in HK |
The Philippines, through its consulate in Hong Kong, is in talks with local authorities on getting Filipino nurses to be hired here.
This was disclosed by Acting Consul General Sheila
M. Arnesto and confirmed by visiting Undersecretary for Migrant Workers
Felicitas Bay, when they both spoke at a thanksgiving and dedication service
for the OFW Global Center in Admiralty yesterday, Sunday.
Consul Arnesto said Filipino nurses who were not
trained in Hong Kong could come and work here if a deal is reached with local
authorities.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
She said the initiative is in line with Hong Kong’s recent moves to open new pathways for nurses who trained outside of the city so they could come and work here. However, she did not give any more details.
The talks followed the amendment of the Nurses Registration Ordinance in July 2024, which provided new pathways for non-locally trained nurses to come and work in Hong Kong. Those who qualify need not take the licensing examination if they work in public hospitals, clinics and care homes.
Those with three years' working experience may apply for special registation, which qualifies them for full registration after working in relevant institutions for five years.
Those with at least one year of working experience can apply for limited registration to work here, but will not qualify the for full registration.
With registered nurses in public hospitals being paid a starting monthly salary of HK$37,590 the response to the Hospital Authority's recruitment drive abroad has been largely positive. The HA has been to Singapore, Malaysia and Macau to talk to possible recruits, and has held online job talks for nurses in Britain, the United States and Australia.
USec Bay confirmed the news, saying “may niluluto” (something is cooking) for non-Hong Kong trained nurses and health professionals, but like Arnesto, could not be drawn to give more details.
She however, told the OFWs at the gathering
that they could already tell their family and friends about the good news.
Asked whether inability to speak Chinese could
hinder the plan of sending Filipino nurses to the city, Arnesto said there are certain
areas where being able to speak English would be enough for them to get by.
She also said this could open the door to better opportunities for Filipino nurses, especially those who are currently working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
Despite this, the head of the Filipino Nurses Association in Hong Kong has reservations, knowing that many patients, especially the elderly, are unable to speak English.
Lorna Pagaduan, a registered nurse in the Philippines who moved to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper for lack of job opportunities back home, also wants to know how long it would take for a non-local to be trained for the work here, if that is part of the requirements.
But such misgivings aside, Pagaduan said the news that the Philippines might soon be able to send nurses in Hong Kong is a welcome development, especially those who have been away from the bedside for a long time.
"Marami mang offers sa iba't ibang bansa, ang Hong Kong ay kapitbahay lang natin. Malapit kaya madaling umuwi kung kailangan," she said. (Though there are a lot of offers for our nurses from other places abroad, Hong Kong is very near us. It's near enough that it would be easy to go home should the need arises).
She just hopes that if or when a deal is finally struck, Hong Kong will give priority to nurses who are already in the city but are not able to practice their profession here, as they are already familiar with the local culture and environment.
