Press Release | December 4, 2024

The global health workforce shortfall, projected by World Health Organization (WHO) to be 10 million by 2030, remains significant, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries including the Pacific Island nations and the Philippines.[1] This shortage can make countries more vulnerable to natural disasters and pandemics.

The recent conference for the Philippine-Pacific Health Initiative: “Towards a Partnership on Sustainable Health Workforce for Health Security”, co-organized by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pacific Island Countries, was an avenue to find lasting solutions to the shortage of healthcare workers and strengthen regional health security. This collaborative platform between the Philippines and Pacific Island Nations seeks to identify effective workforce education, employment, and retention strategies.

The Philippines and other nations such as Cook Islands, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu aim to address needs in sustainable management of health workforce migration in alignment with WHO’s Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.

As a country that has historically contributed health workers internationally, the Philippines brings a unique perspective to the discourse on health workforce sustainability, capacity building and health human resource development and sharing of best practices in implementing health policies and programs.

This Philippine-Pacific Health Initiative also serves as a continuation of the Philippines’ advocacy for global health workforce solutions, following its recent leadership in global discussions at the 77th World Health Assembly, where it convened Member States to address workforce challenges related to migration.

During the conference, Secretary of Health, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa emphasized, “The Philippines is committed to strengthening health systems both at home and across our region by developing a sustainable and resilient health workforce. This initiative reaffirms our dedication to sharing best practices and fostering a collaborative approach to health workforce challenges. By working together with our Pacific neighbors, we are mapping solutions that prioritize healthcare access, improve health outcomes, and ensure that all communities, regardless of location, have the support they need. The Philippines is proud to contribute to a stronger, healthier future for the region.”

The conference also featured DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, WHO Western Pacific Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, and leaders from Pacific Islands Countries and Territories. In addition to presentations and field visits to leading health institutions in the country, the conference, including panel discussions on health workforce sustainability and resilience, will culminate in a roadmap for sustainable health workforce development for Pacific Island nations and the Philippines.

Reference:

1. The global ‘shortage’ is estimated in relation to the Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index. Nationally defined shortages for population needs may exceed the WHO estimate.