The first conference addressing the global shortage of health workers is opening in Kampala, reports BBC online Monday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says a further four million doctors, nurses, midwives (jordemødre) and other health care professionals are needed.
The WHO says the shortage is affecting basic services such as immunisation, child birth and treatment of diseases. There is a critical shortage of health workers in 57 countries, most of which are in Africa.
Medical staff from Africa and Asia often migrate to richer countries where pay and conditions are better. On average, one in four doctors trained in Africa is working in the developed world.
The conference, which is being attended by health ministers from some of the worst affected countries, aims to produce a global action plan.
The WHO says there is a need for more education and training to create a larger pool of health workers. Some 12 billion dollar in international aid is devoted every year to health. The WHO wants to see a quarter of that spent on the workforce, rather than drugs or treatments.
Se også telegrammet www.u-landsnyt.dk/indhold.asp?ID=14400&mode=Nyhed
