The Filipino Nurse

October 2008 Issue

Legislative Agenda for Philippine Nurses

Project NARS: Nurses Assigned in Rural Service

On February 9, 2009, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, launched the NARS Project which stands for Nurses Assigned in Rural Service, as a part of  massive strategies under the Economic Resiliency Plan of the government to mitigate the impact of the global financial crisis and save and create as many jobs to expand social protection. The NARS Project aims to increase the accessibility of health care services for distant, poor rural areas of the country, while providing financial help and experience to new graduates.

NARS is a training and employment program designed to mobilize registered nurses at an average of 5 per town in 1,000 poorest communities. These trainees shall be known as “warriors of wellness’ in their hometowns where they are expected to do the 3 I’s: Initiate primary health care, school nutrition, maternal health programs and first line diagnosis; Inform the public on community water sanitation practices and perform health surveillance, and Immunize children and mothers.

The project was made possible by the collaboration of DOLE (Dept of Labor and Employment, (DOH) Department of Health, (PRC) Professional Regulation Commission and (LGU) Local Government Units.

The program was ready for implementation by April 1, 2009 with the training aspect collaborated by the Board of Nursing (BON) and the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN) and the National League of Philippine Government Nurses (NLPGN).

The program will benefit a total of 10,000 NARS Trainees for 12 months. Their families will also benefit from the stipends that they will receive for a total of 6 months. The recipients of improved health care services through hospital and community nursing will include a total of 1,000 poorest, rural communities.

Source: BON Newsletter (Board of Nursing) Vol 4 April 6, 2009