nEwS
WHO pushes for new international
recruitment code
The World Health Organization is The WHO contends that developed Professor Buchan notes these are not
pushing to implement a draft code countries in particular should become prominent and are easy to ignore.
on the international recruitment of more sustainable, rather than recruiting A WHO code is expected to be more
health professionals due to increased from under-resourced and developing difficult to ignore, particularly if
migration and a crisis shortage in countries. applied through universities, and
developing countries. According to WHO data from would focus on alternative policy
Speaking at a public lecture in 2004/2005, Australia and New Zealand interventions to increase workforce
Melbourne last month, visiting WHO largely recruited from other OECD numbers.
European Observatory on Health countries while the United Kingdom, SOURCE: ANJ Dec 09/Jan 10 Volume
Systems Policy Associate Professor Ireland and the United States recruited 17 Number 6
John Buchan said there would be a internationally from sub-Saharan
move for bilateral agreements between Africa, India and the Philippines.
countries on international recruitment Jamaica was indicative of the small
which could include training for export island states where the migration of
or other forms of mutuality. health professionals had a significant
The code would require countries to impact on the population—with 88% of
report back to the WHO after two years doctors and 49% of its nurses leaving.
of recruitment practice. While some countries had recruitment
Given international recruitment is codes, such as the UK and
attractive to some policy makers as a the Commonwealth
quick fix, low cost strategy, Professor code which applies
Buchan said it was critical to educate to Australia,
around unethical approaches,
particularly given the politically charged
situation surrounding migration.
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