International nurses’ organization write to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the release of 43 Philippine health workers

International support for the 43 illegally detained health workers who were arrested in a training conducted by the Council for Health and Development (CHD) and Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED) or the “Morong 43” continues to pour in.

National Nurses United (NNU), a 150, 000 strong organization of registered nurses based in the United States recently wrote to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton thru its co-presidents Deborah Burger, Karren Higgins, Jean Ross.

NNU underscores their concern regarding the arrest and the continuing human rights violations inflicted upon the detainees.

The health organization also posed their deep concerns on how dedicated health workers are being treated in a country where a lot of medics are forced to leave because of the lack government support.

NNU commends the efforts of the 43 health workers and takes particular mention of Gary Liberal, a fellow nurse and an operating room nurse from Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital who is also the National Auditor of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), a recognized union of healthcare workers in the Philippines.

Earlier, the National Council of Churches also petitioned Secretary Clinton to investigate the case of the 43 health workers.

Dr. Eleanor Jara, one of the spokespersons of the Free the 43 Health Workers Now! Alliance, says they very are pleased with the overwhelming support from support letters, mobilizations, here and abroad, including fasting and other symbolic actions.

“This outpouring of support is a great source of inspiration to all the detainees, their relatives and all their colleagues and everyone working for their release.”

Dr. Merry Mia-Clamor, one of the two physicians among the 43, writing from detention also expressed her gratitude on the amount of support coming from around the world. Among the organizations who have earlier expressed their support include Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), Red Mundial de Mujeres por los Derechos Reproductivos Réseau Mondial de Femmes por les Droits Reproductifs (Netherlands), Organizing Centre for Social and Economic Justice (Canada), Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia, KASAMMAKO (Korea), Peoples Health Movement and other international human rights and religious organizations.##

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For reference:

Eleanor A. Jara, MD
0917-9789297 / 929-8109