Minister: No quick fix to manpower issue, but healthcare workers key assets

 

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has responded to the healthcare manpower crisis being highlighted once more in the media, emphasising that his ministry considers healthcare workers its most invaluable asset.

He stressed that the government is committed to fostering a healthier work-life balance and fair compensation structure.

"Keeping this in mind, the Health Ministry is earnestly revisiting longstanding practices, such as the excessively long on-call hours.

"Healthcare workers, our most invaluable assets, deserve our comprehensive support.

"Countries globally are similarly grappling with these dire healthcare challenges and are acutely observed in the recent World Health Assembly. Philippines, once the global exporter of nurses is currently suffering from a shortage of 127,000 nurses," he said in a statement today.

Multifaceted approach

Dzulkefly thanked health portal Codeblue for a recent article on the manpower shortage in the public health service and lamented that there is no quick fix to the human resource challenges.

"We completely concur with the clarion call for a cultural shift and prioritise the well-being of our healthcare workforce.

"The Health Ministry has undertaken a multifaceted approach to mitigate these challenges including:

(i) Optimising patient distribution through hospital clustering,

(ii) Exploring public-private partnerships for outsourcing services,

(iii) Mobilising staff to high-demand departments,

(iv) Extending operating hours at health clinics to alleviate strain on hospitals, and

(v) Identifying workforce gaps through an ongoing 'supply and demand' survey locally, in collaboration with the World Bank.”

Contract doctor scheme

He said financial constraints were a key reason the government introduced the contract doctor scheme in 2016.

"Addressing these constraints will necessitate critical reforms plus financing strategy to build a sustainable and resilient healthcare system. We are now undertaking these reforms seriously.

"To our dedicated healthcare professionals, we implore for your patience as we navigate this critical transformative journey. Your understanding and continued contributions are deeply valued as we strive for positive change," he added. - Mkini