PHA-Exch> HEAD Philippines on forced migration of health workforce

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: HEAD Philippines headphil at gmail.com



   *Health **Alliance** for Democracy (HEAD)*

*2/F Doña Anita Bldg, 284 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City***

*Telefax: (02) 725 4760        Email: headphil at gmail.com***

* *

*Media Release*

*22 October 2008***

* *

*Health Group Condemns Export of Nurses in International Conference*



A health group slammed the Arroyo government for seeing only dollar
remittances in the migration of the health workforce, and not the crumbling
health care system.

* *

According to Dr. Geneve Rivera, Secretary-General of Health Alliance for
Democracy (HEAD), "The Arroyo government in interested only in the infusion
of dollar-denominated remittances and not the critical effects of the brain
drain on the deteriorating healthcare system."



HEAD is joining migrant groups in condemning Arroyo's labor export policy
even as the gov't is hosting the upcoming Global Forum on Migration and
Development (GFMD) on October 28-30, where government is expected to further
push its agenda of commodifying Filipino workers.



The exodus of thousands of nurses and other health professionals mainly
accounts for the 17.2% increase in remittances, which has already reached
US$11 billion from January to August of 2008. According to HEAD, this is the
reason why the Arroyo administration remains unwilling to create new job
opportunities to absorb health professionals who are badly needed here.



As such, nurses will remain the priority export as highly skilled
professionals continue to be in demand in many developing countries. This,
despite the dearth of health personnel in almost all public hospitals all
over the country, where the nurse-to-patient ratio remains 1:45, or three
times the ideal ratio of 1:15.



"Thus, overworked and underpaid nurses and doctors, especially those in the
public sector, are more than willing to leave the country and work abroad
because the gov't has practically pushed them to leave," Dr. Rivera added.
"Unfortunately, the Arroyo gov't is also willing to compromise their rights
and benefits instead of protecting them as migrant Filipinos."



"Rather than be ashamed, Mrs. Arroyo is showcasing to the world that the
government's policy of exporting and exploiting its own citizens is a model
that should be emulated," concluded Dr. Rivera, "This kind of 'global
competitiveness' must stop. The rights of health personnel must be protected
and the health of the people must be upheld."
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