Secretary Dr Teodoro Herbosa - Department of Health, Philippines; Special Minister Valasi Selesele and Ministers from our Pacific Island countries; representatives from Member States; development partners; ladies and gentlemen, good morning and magandang umaga!
It is an honour to stand before you today as we come together to discuss and find solutions on how we can further support and empower our health workforce for a brighter future.
Allow me to welcome you all to our home, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office here in Manila.
I am so pleased that the Government of the Philippines has put forward this Philippine Pacific Initiative on Human Resources for Health. This Initiative is a significant step forward in our collective efforts to addressing the pressing challenge facing our health workforce.
We cannot overstate the importance of a resilient and robust health workforce. Our health-care professionals are the backbone of our health systems, providing essential services, care and support to our communities. They are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly—often under challenging conditions—to keep us healthy and safe. It is, therefore, imperative that we invest in their development, well-being and empowerment.
The Philippine Pacific Initiative on Human Resources for Health aims to tackle critical issues, such as workforce shortages, quality training and education, equitable distribution of health-care professional, and the need for innovative policies and practices. We are all familiar with these challenges.
One of the most pressing challenges we face is the shortage of health-care professionals, particularly acute in rural and underserved areas, where access to quality health-care remains a significant barrier.
We must ensure that all Member States have access to skilled health workforce, continuous education, and career development.
Across the Pacific, home to around 10 million people, there is a severe shortage of health-care workers. This is compounded by limited education opportunities, economic constraints, and migration.
And this is also a challenge that is shared by the Philippines. There are nearly a million health professionals who are licensed in the Philippines, and approximately one third of them are working abroad, leaving a domestic shortfall of around 200,000 health workers.
The Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in 2023 adopted the "Regional framework to shape a health workforce for the future of the Western Pacific”. This Framework provides a roadmap to transform our health workforce to meet future demands. It focuses on primary health care, better workforce distribution, and harnessing innovation, such as digital technologies, to close service gaps. It also emphasizes the need for strong leadership and improved data systems to guide evidence-based reforms and ensure that all communities have the necessary care they need when they need it.
Innovation is at the heart of this initiative. We need to leverage technology, explore new models of care, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
We must work together, share knowledge, resources and support each other in our common goal of strengthening our health workforce. A well-trained and highly skilled health workforce is essential for delivering quality care.
The Initiative will invest in health-care workers' continuous education and professional development, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.
"Train them well enough so they can leave and treat them well enough so they don't want to."
We urgently need to work with academic institutions to develop and implement training programmes that are responsive to the evolving needs of the health-care sector.
WHO will continue exploring mechanisms for better workforce planning.
We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the incredible pressures our health workforce faces. It is crucial that we prioritize their mental and physical health, provide them with the necessary resources and support, and create a work environment that fosters their well-being. This includes implementing measures to prevent burnout, offering counselling and support services, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me share an example of an initiative in our office called the Healing Hearts. This programme has been implemented across the Region, focuses on enhancing staff well-being through small group activities that rebuild trust, respect and solidarity in the workplace.
Some of the best investment we can make - a happier and healthier workforce can better support and serve our communities.
I am confident we can develop similar initiatives that are suitable and relevant to support your health workers.
I have recently attended my 1st COP meeting in Baku. After listening to the discussion on climate change and health, I felt compelled to speak up. I said, “The time for diagnosing our problems is over, we need solutions and actions now.”
As a surgeon the most critical decision to make is whether to operate or not. I can tell you now and with certainty that our current health workforce needs an operation. The time is now!
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr Herbosa, a fellow surgeon who truly understands the urgency of immediate action. Your passion and commitment to the development of our HCWF are commendable. Thank you for being an integral part of the solution for our PI countries.
Last month, you all endorsed the new vision for our Region "Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies", which will serve as our blueprint for achieving sustainable health systems and resilient societies in the Western Pacific Region.
The act of coming together to weave a mat known as TOULALANGA is a beautiful communal activity that is never done in isolation. Each person brings their unique strands of pandanus regardless of their imperfections to weave a mat that is not only beautiful, but also strong and useful in all aspects of our lives.
This symbolises our collective efforts and actions to improve the health-care workforce in our Region.
I cannot express enough gratitude to my dear friend Dr Herbosa for uniting the PICs to weave a solution to the longstanding health-care workforce challenges in the Pacific.
Your Philippine Pacific initiative on Human Resources for Health is our golden opportunity to make a significant impact on the development of our health-care workforce. Thank you for your unwavering passion and commitment. Together we are weaving a future that is stronger and healthier for all.
Honourable Ministers and participants, your presence at this Conference speaks volume about your unwavering dedication to building a strong, resilient, and capable health workforce.
Together, we can empower our health workforce, improve health-care access and quality, and ultimately enhance the health and well-being of our communities.
Your commitment is truly inspiring and I’m grateful for your partnership in this vital endeavor.
I want to leave with you a quote by Margret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people - like you today - can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
I wish you all a very successful meeting. Thank you.