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International cooperation

Philippines Calls for Global Action to Address Health Workforce Shortages

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Philippines, through the Department of Health (DOH), has joined international partners in urging collective action to strengthen the global health workforce. In a World Health Assembly (WHA) side event, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the need for modern education and training systems, fair wages, and decent working conditions to address the looming shortage of over 11 million health workers by 2030. Herbosa, who has assumed the presidency of the 78th WHA, highlighted the disproportionate impact on low-income and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems are already under strain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philippines, through the DOH, is calling for global action to address the shortage of over 11 million health workers by 2030, with a disproportionate impact on low-income and middle-income countries.
  • Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the need for modern education and training systems, fair wages, and decent working conditions to address the shortage.
  • The 78th WHA, led by Herbosa, will prioritize pandemic preparedness, strengthening health systems, improving access to health technologies, and advancing universal health coverage progress.
  • The Philippines is joining countries like Ireland, Germany, Morocco, and Jamaica, and organizations like the World Medical Association and the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, to address the health workforce shortage.
  • The WHA is a primary forum for crafting international health policies and global health priorities, consisting of 194 member-states.

Statistics:

  • Over 11 million health workers are expected to be in short supply by 2030.
  • The shortage will disproportionately affect low-income and middle-income countries with already strained healthcare systems.
  • The 78th WHA will focus on pandemic preparedness, with a resolution aimed at strengthening global collaboration to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health threats.

Sources:

  • "Philippine News Agency"
  • "World Health Assembly official website"

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