Why They Came: A Historical and Political Context
Reposted from Zocalo. Photo of Nursing class of 1929, St. Paul's Hospital, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Misses Yadao, Fink, Andaya, Abuan, Peralta and Tapaoan. Photo courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries/J. Tewell.The United States Connection to Filipino Nurses & Training
The deep historical roots of the Philippine connection to nursing starts as far back as 1898 when The United States’ officially began their military occupation of The Philippines after hundreds of years of Spanish colonization in the region. United States Army personnel started training Filipinos so they could provide care to American soldiers during their violent occupation of the archipelago. A full American nursing curriculum as well as English lessons were offered to Filipinos and this served as the overarching educational framework that led to The Philippines’ role as the world’s leading exporter of professionally trained nurses. (Stat News)
In the 1970s, The Philippines began promoting the export of nurses and caregivers in earnest. This was precipitated by The United States’ Immigration Act of 1965 wherein a long-standing system of country-based quotas were relaxed so that immigrants with professional degrees were given preference for visas. (ProPublica)
Where Filipino Nurses Are Now In Context to COVID-19 As A Global Pandemic According To The New York Times:
“Nurses from the Philippines and other developing countries have long made up for shortages in wealthier Western nations. They now find themselves risking their lives on the front lines of a pandemic, thousands of miles from home.”
“Almost 16 percent of nurses in the United States are immigrants, and nearly a third of those — the largest share — are Filipinos.”
“According to the World Health Organization, the world has six million fewer nurses than it needs. One result is that nurses in places like the Philippines have long gravitated toward wealthier countries for higher-paying opportunities.”
“Migration is woven into the Philippines’ culture. As much as 10 percent of the population works overseas, sending money home, and nursing is one of the most popular options. On average, 13,000 nurses go abroad each year. Nursing recruitment agencies pave the way for visas and certifications so they can find jobs overseas.”
More Articles on Historical and Political Context:
ProPublica. “Similar to Times of War.”
New York Times. “On Pandemic’s Front Lines, Nurses From Half a World Away.”
Zocalo Public Square. “Why Are There So Many Filipino Nurses in California?”
Los Angeles Times. “Philippine nurses, long treated like exports, now told to stay home to fight coronavirus”
STAT News. “Nursing ranks are filled with Filipino Americans. The pandemic is taking an outsized toll on them.”
Strait Times. “Philippines paying the steep price of being largest nurse exporter.”
World Remit. “Why so many Filipinos choose Australia as their second home.”
Broadbent Institute. “Filipino Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 and the Importance of Race-Based Analysis.”
BBC. “Coronavirus: Call to protect Filipino health workers.”
Al Jazeera. “Coronavirus: Filipino front-line workers pay ultimate price in UK.”
