HERE are many things in our life that we are hardly ever aware of but the moment they are gone, we feel their absence. Health is one of those things and its importance can never be over-emphasized. It is an asset greater than wealth, fame, and position in society, as the saying goes, "If health is lost, everything is lost.’’
At the heart of health systems are health workers in hospitals and community centers, however, there is now a shortage of health workers as a result of decades of under investment in their education, training, salaries, work environment, and management.
In sub-Saharan Africa where there is today a Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, there are not too many health workers for a population of close to seven hundred million. By comparison, the ratio is 10 to 15 times higher in industrialized countries. The aging population in these countries, however, is putting a strain on an overstretched workforce. World Health Day is observed on April 7 focuses on actions that are now being taken to address the crisis in the global health workforce. This year’s theme is "The Dignity and Value of Working Together for Health.’’
It is hardly enough simply to know that health has great importance. What is perhaps more important for this year’s World Health Day is to draw attention to the global health workforce crisis and take actions that will improve the lot of health workers and allow them to serve communities even better.
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