Poor working conditions and wages, fatigue and “stress” have led to a crisis for healthcare workers in Europe that needs to be addressed urgently, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this Wednesday.
“There is no time to waste. A health care system is only as strong as the health care that supports it. If we take into account the current atmosphere of strikes, burnout and brain drain, we see that our healthcare system is in serious trouble. “, warned Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, during a meeting in Bucharest.
“The health worker crisis in Europe is no longer an immediate threat, it is already here. Medical workers and workers in our region are crying out for help,” he said.
At the meeting, 49 of the 53 WHO members in Europe endorsed a declaration recalling that the covid-19 pandemic has made clear “the fragility of health systems and the importance of having an effective and resilient health workforce.”
The document highlights that a series of strikes by medical workers took place in Europe last year in protest against harsh working conditions, low wages and lack of resources.
“The health and well-being of our society is at stake, there is no time to waste,” Kluge said in a statement.
stresses that society is experiencing a doubly aging population and healthcare workers, while cases of chronic diseases are increasing and the effects of the pandemic are still lingering.
One problem that needs to be addressed urgently is the shortage of health workers, 40% of whom, by some estimates, will retire in the next 10 years.
The system is at risk of “imminent collapse” in key areas, the statement said, unless urgent action is taken to address these problems.
In response to the challenges, the Bucharest Declaration calls for “political action” to improve labor contracts and distribution mechanisms, as well as to streamline the work of sector staff.
It also highlights the importance of better workforce planning and increased public investment in staff training and protection.