Media Releases > Oxfam Ireland Press Release

Four million more health workers are needed worldwide

7 April 2006

Today, World Health Day, Oxfam has joined the World Health Organisation's call for millions more doctors and nurses for developing countries. In their report, "Working Together for Health", The WHO exposes a staggering global shortage of 4 million health workers in 57 countries.

Oxfam Ireland Director Brian Scott said:

"Without access to a trained doctor or nurse thousands of children are condemned to death every day. Rich country governments must ensure the aid promised last year is used to pay for the millions of doctors, nurses and teachers which are so badly needed.

Scott added:

"Developing countries must seize the opportunity provided by debt relief and increased aid by committing a substantial portion of their incomes to health and education budgets to ensure that people can access these essential services. Free basic health and education is absolutely essential if the world's poorest people are to have a chance of a better life. This opportunity must not be squandered. "

The report is being launched simultaneously in London and Lusaka , Zambia .

Zambia , one of the world's poorest countries, has already announced free health care for millions living in rural poverty. The move was only made possible by the debt relief and aid increases agreed at the G8 in Scotland last July. The UK government is giving the country £14.5 million over the next five years to help support the free health initiative. Previously a visit to a Zambian health clinic would cost an average of two days' income.

According to Oxfam Zambia 's next challenge is their chronic shortage of health workers. There is currently only one doctor per 14,000 people in Zambia and the numbers of nurses in the country needs to be doubled. Health workers are currently paid a pittance in the public sector and have to work in appalling conditions.

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