developing countries
26 October 2007
European Union Member States need to give consideration to the development
of a code of conduct for recruitment of health professionals from developing
countries, South African Health Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said
today.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang was addressing the first meeting of the Health
Ministers from 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific region countries
(ACP) held in Brussels, Belgium today. ACP was established as a vehicle for
cooperation between African, Caribbean and Pacific states and European Union
partners. Tshabalala-Msimang's statement follows the unveiling of a Blue Card
scheme aimed at assisting the EU to recruit about 20 million skilled workers
over the next two decades.
Health is one the sectors identified for this recruitment initiative. The
Blue Card will enable holders and their families to live, work and travel
within the EU. To be eligible, new immigrants would need to show a recognised
diploma and have at least three years professional experience. Responding to
the plan, Minister Tshabalala-Msimang urged ACP Health Ministers' meeting to
adopt a declaration that enjoins all countries to develop national health plans
that entail acceleration of the production of human resources for health.
"The EU Member States need to address themselves to the issue of the
recruitment of health workers from the ACP Group of States and give
consideration to the development of a Code on the Ethical recruitment of health
workers. Many developing countries are already struggling with the challenge of
migration of health workers, we cannot afford schemes that seek to cream the
very limited health skills we still have in developing countries," said
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang said developing countries themselves also need
to consider whether it is ethical for them to recruit from each other. "South
Africa has taken a principled position not to recruit from its sister
countries, which are facing the same challenges as us. Secondly, we have
reserved five percent of places at our Medical Schools for students from other
Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. This is the type
of collaboration we need to see between the ACP and the EU," said Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang.
The two day meeting (25 to 26 October) is expected to adopt a declaration
addressing the challenge of human resources for health later today.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
26 October 2007
