Global Healthcare Workers Migration: A Human Resource Management Concern

Abstract

The World Health Organization estimates a deficit of approximately 2.4 million physicians, nurses, and midwives along with a need for an additional 2 million pharmacists and paramedical professionals. Compounding this crisis for the most vulnerable communities is the phenomenon healthcare worker migration. Both developed and developing nations are struggling to mitigate the immense challenges resulting from the existing shortage combined with increasing demands and diminishing supplies of healthcare providers. WHO established a Global Code of Practice with the aim of addressing the growing healthcare worker crisis. United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling on the international community to work together towards the creation of 40 million healthcare and social workers with particular focus on the expected 18-million-person deficit in healthcare workers by 2030. The WHO’s Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel has provided clear benefits in mitigating this growing problem most evident with the creation of 117 national authorities and being used to establish 65 bilateral agreements with respect to health worker development and migration. The healthcare workforce shortage is an ongoing crisis with global ramifications effecting developed and developing nations alike.