That was the warning voiced today as senior health officials met in New Zealand for the World Health Organization's Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. The meeting heard that almost all countries in the Western Pacific Region face health worker shortages, particularly nurses and public health workers. If present trends continue, this worsening shortage will push health systems to the brink of collapse, particularly in poor countries where health needs are greatest.
With this in mind, WHO's Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, WHO's governing body for the 37 countries and areas that make up the Western Pacific Region, is set to endorse the Regional Strategy on Human Resources for Health 2006-2015. The strategy provides policy options and practical guidelines to WHO Member States for developing and sustaining a robust health workforce that meets population health needs and demands.
"Instead of merely averting immediate crises and current situations, governments must anticipate health needs or new services and technologies," said Dr Richard Nesbit, WHO acting Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
WHO estimates the current global health workforce to be around 59 million people. There are 39.5 million health service providers, and 19.5 million management and support workers. WHO estimates a global health worker shortage of more than 4 million doctors, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and support workers.
WHO emphasized that training, sustaining and retaining a motivated and supported workforce will require long-term commitment, structural and fiscal changes, and partnership at all levels-country, regional and international.
