Filipinos working as respiratory therapists (RT’s) are in danger of losing their jobs in the Middle East.

Dindo Amparo, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau chief, reported that hospitals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prioritize licensed respiratory therapists.

In a recent meeting, Filipino therapists revealed that their profession is not among those licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission or PRC.

“Nangangamba po kami na in the next two years ay ma-disenfranchise na po kami dahil unti-unti nang pumapasok ang mga Indians na RT's po dito sa United Arab Emirates,” said Roger Sansano, officer of the group called Emirates Association of Respiratory Care Practitioners or EARCP.

RT’s are responsible for taking care of patients suffering from lung and other cardio-pulmonary diseases; newly-born infants with illnesses; or emergency cases brought by heart attack, stroke, drowning or electric shock.

There are about 150 RT’s in the UAE and more than 1,000 are working in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

However, majority of them are not licensed RTs while the rest would have to travel to the US where they can obtain a license.

“Twenty long years have passed and until now they haven't any licensure examination para sa mga graduate ng Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy in the Philippines. And that puts us in a very big disadvantage,” said Noel Tiburcio, EARCP chairman.

The group only hopes that Congress would approve of a bill that would enable their profession to be included in the PRC list.

“Sana ma-solusyunan natin ito at hindi tayo mapunta sa isang crisis na saka pa lang natin haharapin pag ‘andoon na ang problema,” EARCP member Julio Balagtas said. Report from Dindo Amparo, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Chief