Philippines is witness to a yearly exodus phenomenon of nearly 15,000 nurses, doctors and other medical workers forsaking their land for raking in the moolah elsewhere!
Philippines is witness to a yearly exodus phenomenon of nearly 15,000 nurses, doctors and other medical workers forsaking their land for raking in the moolah elsewhere! This has created quite a flutter within the WHO, warning against serious implications on the country’s health services. According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque, the problem is really grave with nearly 85% of the nursing population, settled in foreign lands, which has left Philippines with a skeletal nursing workforce.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said that “in many parts of the world, the health workforce is in crisis. The global population is growing, but the number of health workers in many of the poorest countries is falling.”The WHO is coming out with a plan to take stock of this drain in nursing resources, fueled by the immense nursing vacancies and better pay packets in the United States. Infact most of the Philippine Nurses leave for the United states, lured by the opportunity to make big bucks
A law that would stipulate a mandatory tenure of at least 6 months for the fresh nursing graduates to practice in the country has been suggested by Secretary Duque, which might bring some respite to the critical situation.
Administrative system in Philippines also calls for a revamp with improved facilities of basics services, putting an end to corruption and elevating the levels of the poverty stricken people.
