The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly challenged humanity and continues to do so. Unfortunately, these challenges are made more difficult for our healthcare workers at the frontlines of COVID-19 care. There are times when the mission and expertise of our frontline health providers are criticized and maligned. Oftentimes, our colleagues bear the cudgels for our health systems’ weaknesses, even as they do their utmost to care for COVID-19 patients and save lives.

We have all lost family members and loved ones in this pandemic. Our shared losses enhance our empathy with all the others who have also lost their loved ones to COVID- 19. The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID), a non-stock, non-profit association of healthcare professionals dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of infectious disease – especially against COVID-19, is not spared from the perils of this pandemic.

In these challenging times, there is the temptation to cast blame and aspersions on frontliners in the face of loss and grief, without fully understanding the context and rationale of holistic clinical management and care. We urge the community to focus against the real enemy, COVID-19. Divisiveness only serves to weaken and demotivate our health workforce. PSMID maintains an open communication line and a collaborative stance as we continue to lead and serve despite the risks and obstacles.

The PSMID expresses confidence in the expertise of its infectious disease clinicians. We stand by the competence, professional integrity, and clinical judgment of our infectious disease practitioners. We, as PSMID, always strive to provide holistic, evidence-based, and compassionate patient care, despite the challenges of a stretched and under- resourced health system and the risks to our own lives.

The PSMID deeply thank the countless women, men, organizations, and institutions who quietly serve and continue to provide support and encouragement to our healthcare workers. We hope for kindness. We hope for understanding. The spirit of unity and solidarity is what gives us hope that we can overcome the challenges that take a significant toll on our frontliners’ physical and mental health.

“YOU [WE] WILL ACHIEVE MORE IN THIS WORLD THROUGH ACTS OF MERCY THAN… THROUGH ACTS OF RETRIBUTION.” -Nelson Mandela

PSMID Board of Councils and Advisers 2021

Download the PSMID Statement of Solidarity with Frontline COVID-19 Health Providers here.