Workforce crisis

Filipinos worried about a looming crisis in public health care may find some comfort in the fact that the problem is global. The World Health Organization is dedicating the 56th World Health Day today to what it describes as “a growing health workforce crisis” in many parts of the world.

WHO experts estimate that there is a global shortage of more than four million doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, midwives and support workers. The hardest hit are developing countries, whose medical professionals are leaving in droves for better paying jobs in rich nations. WHO officials estimate that the global health workforce currently stands at around 59 million. That number can barely keep up with booming populations especially in the developing countries. Even rich nations are feeling the shortage, but can afford to import trained health workers.

The Philippines is among the biggest sources of those health workers. Doctors, nurses, midwives, caregivers, physical therapists – everyone is in a rush to leave and start earning foreign currency. While the phenomenon has boosted the peso, it has also forced many private hospitals to shut down. Public health care is inadequate enough without the exodus of health professionals. Soon health care may become a luxury in this country.

“Decades of cost-cutting and under-investment in health have… resulted in truly terrible working conditions for many in the health sector,” the WHO website said. “The morale and performance of overburdened, underpaid and unsupported health workers have sharply declined. As a result, many health workers feel they can no longer continue under these conditions.”

Even in the top hospitals in Metro Manila, people are starting to feel the shortage. Fewer health workers mean longer waiting times for diagnosis, treatment or laboratory tests. Professional fees also rise as demand for health care far exceeds the supply. It is often said that health is wealth. Unless the government addresses this workforce crisis soon, only the wealthy will be able to stay healthy. –Philippine Star