The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced that the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health Hospital Operation Program is in urgent need of qualified Muslim applicants to be assigned to different hospitals in the Makkah region.

The POEA made a similar announcement on Thursday, calling on nationals with a nursing background to take advantage of career opportunities in Saudi Arabia. The statement announced the availability of 500 nursing positions for Filipino nationals in the Kingdom.

Maria Amor, a peace advocate, said: “Filipino nurses are known for having positive attributes such as empathy, respect, good communication skills, emotional stability, and flexibility. Filipino nurses are in high demand and are sought worldwide.”

“This is good news for our brothers and sisters in Muslim Mindanao,” said Rashid Aranas Fabricante, an international advocate.

“Filipino Muslim nurses deserve all the help they can get given the dislocation of many families during the Zamboanga siege and the low absorptive capacity of our economy to generate more jobs,” Fabricante said.

According to the statement, the deadline for applicants to submit their resumes is Nov. 20.