This shortage, combined with a lack of training and knowledge, is also a major obstacle for health systems as they attempt to respond effectively to chronic diseases, avian influenza and other health challenges, the WHO report states.
More than four million additional doctors, nurses, midwives, managers and public health workers are urgently needed to fill the gap in these 57 countries, 36 of which are in sub-Saharan Africa, says the report. Every country needs to improve the way it plans for, educates and employs the doctors, nurses and support staff who make up the health workforce and provide them with better working conditions, it concludes.
The World Health Report sets out a 10-year plan to address the crisis. It calls for national leadership to urgently formulate and implement country strategies for the health workforce.
“Not enough health workers are being trained or recruited where they are most needed, and increasing numbers are joining a brain drain of qualified professionals who are migrating to better-paid jobs in richer countries,” said WHO assistant director-general Dr Timothy Evans.
To tackle this crisis, more direct investment in the training and support of health workers is needed now. Health budgets will have to increase by at least $10 per person per year in the 57 countries with severe shortages to educate and pay the salaries of the four million health workers needed to fill the gap, the report states. According to the WHO, to meet that target within 20 years is an ambitious but reasonable goal.