Health minister concerned about migrating workers
Published:Wednesday | May 20, 2015 | 9:02 AM
Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson is calling for international attention to be given to the issue of international recruitment of specialist health workers by developed countries.
Ferguson made the call as he addressed the Plenary session of the 68th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.
Ferguson said Jamaica continues to be challenged by recruitment of specialist health workers by developed countries that can afford better wages and benefits.
He said it was time that attention again be placed on a 2010 resolution addressing the matter.
Health minister, Dr. Fenton Ferguson.
The global Code of practice on the international recruitment of health personnel was adopted amid concern about the rising number of health workers migrating to developed countries.
It is believed that health worker migration is contributing to severe shortages of trained health workers in lower-income countries and areas of greatest need, thereby weakening health systems that are already fragile in many countries.