MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

29.3.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Marie-Hélène Aubert, Margrete Auken, Frithjof Schmidt and Carl Schlyter
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on World Health Day

B6‑0232/2006

European Parliament resolution on World Health Day

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to World Health Day on 7 April 2006, which will be devoted to healthcare workers,

–  having regard to the Health Workforce Decade (2006-2015), which will be launched on World Health Day,

–  having regard to the Commission’s Communication on an EU Strategy for Action on the Crisis in Human Resources for Health in Developing Countries, adopted on 12 December 2005,

–  having regard to the Development Policy Statement signed by the Commission, Council and Parliament in December 2005,

–  having regard to the World Bank report on healthcare ‘Reaching the Poor: What Works, What Doesn’t and Why’, published on 7 December 2005,

–  having regard to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, adopted by the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) in June 2001, and its forthcoming Comprehensive Review and High-Level Meeting in June 2006,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas there is a grave shortage of health workers in many parts of the developing world, with migration both from and within poorer regions,

B.  recalling that health services in developing countries have suffered greatly as a result of the emphasis placed on macroeconomic reforms such as structural adjustment programmes, which have led to drastic budget cuts in social sectors such as health,

C.  whereas the shortage of human resources in the healthcare sector constitutes an emergency which not only involves developing countries, but is also a concern that affects Europe and all other states in the world,

D.  whereas this chronic shortage of health workers could become an issue of major gravity representing a global threat, especially in potential pandemic scenarios,

E.  whereas this chronic shortage is a result of underinvestment in health sectors and in the education of key health workers in both the developed and the developing world,

F.  whereas the Millennium Development Goals include reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and tackling HIV/AIDS and other diseases,

G.  whereas HIV/AIDS has had a damaging effect on the healthcare sector, with major losses of health workers through infection as well as a general decline in numbers of health personnel,

1.  Reaffirms that the crisis in human resources for health is an issue of fundamental importance which should be addressed as a matter of urgency, particularly in developing countries;

2.  Takes the view that the chronic shortage of health workers is a result of underinvestment in health sectors and in the education of key health workers in both the developed and the developing world;

3.  Recognises that one major reason for this problematic situation in the developing countries is migration of health workers who are recruited by wealthier countries (especially EU countries and the USA), and calls for the EU to press for the introduction of a global Code of Conduct for Ethical Recruitment;

4.  Recalls that debt servicing accounts for up to 40% of GDP per annum in the least developed countries, while health budgets are still derisory;

5.  Calls on developed countries to reconsider their policies of active recruitment of health workers from severely understaffed developing countries, which has a negative impact on these countries;

6.  Calls on international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank to reconsider their policy of putting emphasis on macroeconomic reforms such as privatisation of public-sector activities in developing countries, which have led to a structural crisis in the health sector;

7.  Calls on developing countries to restore their public and basic healthcare systems and services and for the EU to support this process through aid for the reinforcement of human and institutional capacities and infrastructure, including an improvement in working conditions for medical staff, provision of suitable medical equipment and transfer of technology;

8.  Insists that the Commission and Member States do their utmost to ensure that healthcare funds reach the poorest in developing countries; highlights the urgent need for access to healthcare in rural and remote areas;

9.  Urges the EU Member States to make global health and medicines a strategic sector and to take determined action to emphasise priorities in research and development in order to address the needs of patients, especially those in resource-poor settings;

10.  Urges the EU to ensure that progress in basic science and biomedicine is translated into improved, safe and affordable healthcare, including access to essential medicines, for all patients, especially those living in poverty;

11.  Calls for effective health workforce planning in all EU Member States in order to meet internal demand and minimise the negative implications for its neighbours, African countries and other affected nations;

12.  Believes that one priority for the EU, in order to remedy shortages of healthcare workers in various Member States, is to maintain and raise the number of healthcare workers by a series of measures such as the introduction of better working conditions;

13.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member State Heads of Government, the Heads of Government of all developing countries, and the World Health Organisation.