As the world commemorated International Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28, a candle lighting activity was held to pay tribute to health workers fighting in the frontlines against COVID-19.
“This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day is most relevant as we fight for safe workplaces for our health workers. The importance of safe workplaces for our health workers cannot be overstated, as it means saving their lives and those of countless Filipinos,” Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) said.
The activity, spearheaded by IOHSAD, Concerned Artists of the Philippines, Altermidya, Alliance of Health Workers, and All University of the Philippines Workers Alliance-Manila, aimed to remember doctors and health workers who died in the line of duty due to COVID-19 and to raise alarm over the rising deaths and cases among health workers.
Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported that the total death toll among health workers has reached 29. Of this number, 22 were physicians.
Meanwhile, the number of Filipino health workers afflicted with the disease has climbed to 1,336.
The candle lighting activity was followed shortly by an online concert featuring: Bobby Balingit, Cooky Chua, Chickoy Pura, Alyana Cabral, Top Suzara, Jep Gabon, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Ammin Acha-ur, Johnoy Danao, Pasada, Shirebound & Busking, KM64, Carlos Sison, Danny Fabella, Levy Abad, Bob and Anya, LVNA, Toto Sorioso and Juan.
International Workers’ Memorial Day is commemorated annually around the globe every April 28 to remember workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work.
