Justice must be served stat! Protect frontline health personnel now!

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) joins #BlackMonday and stands in solidarity with the collective condemnation of the killing of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas. Dr. Perlas was the Municipal Health Officer of Sapad, Lanao del Norte when he was shot and killed last March 1.

Health personnel at the frontlines, including doctors, nurses, and midwives, face various difficulties and dangers in the performance of their duties. Yet the most dangerous of these hazards are those that are man-made: intimidations, harassments, and actual acts of violence that constitute not only gross human rights violations but also direct threats on their lives. This must stop.

Health professionals, health workers, and health science students mourn and condemn the killing of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas.

We call for the swift institution of justice. Without the immediate resolution, conviction, and punishment of the perpetrators, the death of an MHO and a former member of the Doctors to the Barrios program of the Department of Health sends a chilling message to those who wish to serve in underserved areas. This must not happen.

We call on the DOH to come up with an unequivocal policy on the protection of health workers, both in the private and public sector, especially those who serve in disadvantaged and marginalized areas. The DOH, as well as the Duterte administration, should initiate actions and programs that will ensure the protection and security of health personnel all across the country. This must be done now.

We call on the health sector to honor the memory of Dr. Drey and others like him by remaining steadfast in their commitment and by continuing to serve the underserved.

We call on the general public to continue to express their outrage and join the clamor for justice. Let us link arms as we move forward with greater conviction and resolve.

HEAD condemns killing of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas

Health Alliance for Democracy condemns the killing of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas, a dedicated community doctor serving in Sapad, Lanao Del Norte under the Doctors to the Barrios program by the Department of Health. The group calls on the Duterte government, the DOH, and the local government unit to thoroughly investigate the incident, go after the assailant/s and/or mastermind of the crime and accord the due penalty.

"Justice for Dr. Drey can also be served best if the government can assure the continuity of health services in the communities that he left and by addressing all obstacles to the delivery of health services including a secured environment for our health providers especially the volunteer doctors and nurses to the underserved areas," said Dr. Joseph Carabeo, HEAD Secretary General.

"While there will be chilling effects on present and future volunteers, we will not let this incident be used by the DOH to downsize further target volunteers and cut its budget allocation as it did in 2017, allegedly because there are few takers," Dr. Carabeo added. "Instead, the DOH should assert its protective, assuring, and influencing role for the unhampered delivery of service by its personnel."

HEAD will continue to exalt and support our heroes in health as they continue to serve in various difficult communities and dare turn their backs to the lure of lucrative practice in the city or abroad. Padayon gihapon!