|
WHO To Focus on Increasing Health Care Workforce In Africa |
|
|
|
Following the 16th International AIDS Conference, where the shortage of healthcare workers was addressed as a dire threat to the global campaign against the disease, the World Health Organization agreed that drastic measures are needed to make sure the continent bearing 25 million people living with HIV/AIDS has enough resources to prevent and treat the disease.
Antiretroviral drugs are becoming more available and more affordable, more emphasis is placed on prevention, but millions will continue to die without health care workers and facilities to deliver them, said WHO Acting Director-General Dr. Anders Nordstrom.
"No improvement in financing or medical products can make a lasting difference in people's lives until the crisis in the health workforce is solved," Nordstrom said at the 16th International AIDS conference in Toronto last month.
WHO estimates that 57 countries, mostly in Africa, have a shortage of health care workers and more than 4 million health workers are needed across the world to test people for the virus, counsel the healthy about how to protect themselves and others from infection, and treat those who are sick.
Few governments or donors, however, are focusing on strengthening health systems and supporting health care workers. It is extremely important that we keep this focus in our advocating for resources to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and worldwide. Follow our legislative watch to see how you can help!
More information:
http://www.who.int/hiv/toronto2006/TTR2_eng.pdf
|
|
|
| 
