National Reporting Instrument 2018
Background
[iBG]
Adopted in 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA Res 63.16), the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (“the Code”) seeks to strengthen the understanding and ethical management of international health personnel recruitment through improved data, information, and international cooperation.
Article 7 of the Code encourages WHO Member States to exchange information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The WHO Director General is additionally mandated to report to the World Health Assembly every 3 years. WHO Member States completed the 2nd Round of National Reporting on Code implementation in March 2016. The WHO Director General reported progress on implementation to the 69th World Health Assembly in May 2016 (A 69/37 and A 69/37 Add.1). During the 2nd Round of National Reporting, seventy-four countries submitted complete national reports: an increase in over 30% from the first round, with improvement in the quality and the geographic diversity of reporting.
The National Reporting Instrument (NRI) is a country-based, self-assessment tool for information exchange and Code monitoring. The NRI enables WHO to collect and share current evidence and information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The NRI (2018) has been considerably shortened, while retaining key elements. It now comprises 18 questions. The common use of the instrument will promote improved comparability of data and regularity of information flows. The findings from the 3rd Round of National Reporting are to be presented at the 72nd World Health Assembly, in May 2019.
The deadline for submitting reports is 15 August 2018.
Should technical difficulties prevent national authorities from filling in the online questionnaire, it is also possible to download the NRI via the link: http://www.who.int/hrh/migration/code/code_nri/en/. Please complete the NRI and submit it, electronically or in hard copy, to the following address:
Health Workforce Department
Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
hrhinfo@who.int
The data and information collected through the National Reporting Instrument will be made publicly available via the WHO web-site following the proceedings of the 72nd World Health Assembly. The quantitative data collected will be updated on and available through the National Health Workforce Accounts online platform (http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/nhwa/en/).
Article 7 of the Code encourages WHO Member States to exchange information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The WHO Director General is additionally mandated to report to the World Health Assembly every 3 years. WHO Member States completed the 2nd Round of National Reporting on Code implementation in March 2016. The WHO Director General reported progress on implementation to the 69th World Health Assembly in May 2016 (A 69/37 and A 69/37 Add.1). During the 2nd Round of National Reporting, seventy-four countries submitted complete national reports: an increase in over 30% from the first round, with improvement in the quality and the geographic diversity of reporting.
The National Reporting Instrument (NRI) is a country-based, self-assessment tool for information exchange and Code monitoring. The NRI enables WHO to collect and share current evidence and information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The NRI (2018) has been considerably shortened, while retaining key elements. It now comprises 18 questions. The common use of the instrument will promote improved comparability of data and regularity of information flows. The findings from the 3rd Round of National Reporting are to be presented at the 72nd World Health Assembly, in May 2019.
The deadline for submitting reports is 15 August 2018.
Should technical difficulties prevent national authorities from filling in the online questionnaire, it is also possible to download the NRI via the link: http://www.who.int/hrh/migration/code/code_nri/en/. Please complete the NRI and submit it, electronically or in hard copy, to the following address:
Health Workforce Department
Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
hrhinfo@who.int
The data and information collected through the National Reporting Instrument will be made publicly available via the WHO web-site following the proceedings of the 72nd World Health Assembly. The quantitative data collected will be updated on and available through the National Health Workforce Accounts online platform (http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/nhwa/en/).
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Please describe
Disclaimer
[disclaim]
For more information on WHO Data Policy kindly refer to http://www.who.int/publishing/datapolicy/en/
For more information on WHO Data Policy kindly refer to http://www.who.int/publishing/datapolicy/en/
I have read and understood the WHO policy on the use and sharing of data collected by WHO in Member States outside the context of public health emergencies
Designated National Authority Contact Details
[q01a]
Name of Member State:
Saint Lucia
[q01b]
Contact information:
Full name of institution:
Department of Health and Wellness
Name of designated national authority:
Verena Calderon
Title of designated national authority:
Deputy Permanent Secretary
Telephone number:
1-758-468-5305
Email:
vcalderon@gosl.govt.lc
Implementation of the Code
[q1]
1. Has your country taken steps to implement the Code?
No
[q3]
3. Is there specific support you require to strengthen implementation of the Code?
3.a Support to strengthen data and information
3.b Support for policy dialogue and development
The Department of Health and Wellness has an HR Department, which serves more as an extension of the Department of the Public Service that focuses on Human Resource Management. There is need for the Unit within Health to broaden their focus in terms of Human Resources of Health.
3.c Support for the development of bilateral agreements
3.d Other areas of support:
Data on International Health Personnel Recruitment & Migration
[iq4]
Improving the availability and international comparability of data is essential to understanding and addressing the global dynamic of health worker migration.
[q4]
4. Does your country have any mechanism(s) or entity(ies) to maintain statistical records of foreign-born and foreign-trained health personnel?
No
[iQ5]
For the latest year available, consistent with the National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA) Indicators 1-07 and 1-08, please provide information on the total stock of health personnel in your country (preferably the active workforce), disaggregated by the country of training (foreign-trained) and the country of birth (foreign-born). Please consult with your NHWA focal point, if available, to ensure that data reported below is consistent with NHWA reporting.
[q5x1]
5. Data on the stock of health personnel, disaggregated by country of training and birth
5.1 Consolidated stock of health personnel
5.1 Consolidated stock of health personnel
| Total | Domestically Trained | Foreign Trained | Unknown Place of Training | National Born | Foreign Born | Source* | Additional Comments# | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Doctors | 116 | 10 | 106 | 0 | 6 | 6 | Dep. of Health and Wellness | None |
| Nurses | 476 | 310 | 166 | 0 | 476 | 0 | Dep. of Health and Wellness | None |
| Midwives | 95 | 47 | 48 | 95 | 95 | 0 | Dep. of Health and Wellness | None |
| Dentists | 31 | 0 | 31 | 25 | 28 | 3 | Dep. of Health and Wellness | None |
| Pharmacists | 79 | 0 | 79 | 0 | 79 | 0 | Dep. of Health and Wellness | None |
[iq5x2]
5.2 Country of training for foreign-trained health personnel
Please provide detailed data on foreign-trained health personnel by their country of training, as consistent with NHWA Indicator 1-08. This information can be provided by one of the following two options:
Please provide detailed data on foreign-trained health personnel by their country of training, as consistent with NHWA Indicator 1-08. This information can be provided by one of the following two options:
[q5x2x2]
Option B: Uploading any format of documentation providing such information (e.g. pdf, excel, word).
Please upload file
[Q5fn]
*e.g. professional register, census data, national survey, other
#e.g. active stock, cumulative stock, public employees only etc.
#e.g. active stock, cumulative stock, public employees only etc.
Partnerships, Technical Collaboration and Financial Support 1/2
[q6]
6. Has your country provided technical or financial assistance to one or more WHO Member States, particularly developing countries, or other stakeholders to support the implementation of the Code?
6.a Specific support for implementation of the Code
6.b Support for health system strengthening
6.c Support for health personnel development
6.d Other areas of support:
No support have been provided.
[q7]
7. Has your country received technical or financial assistance from one or more WHO Member States, the WHO secretariat, or other stakeholders to support the implementation of the Code?
7.a Specific support for implementation of the Code
7.b Support for health system strengthening
Support has been provided in the area of Health Care Financing, Human Resources for Health, etc.
7.c Support for health personnel development
7.d Other areas of support:
Partnerships, Technical Collaboration and Financial Support 2/2
[q8]
8. Has your country or its sub-national governments entered into bilateral, multilateral, or regional agreements and/or arrangements to promote international cooperation and coordination in relation to the international recruitment and migration of health personnel?
No
Health Workforce Development and Health System Sustainability
[q9]
9. Does your country strive to meet its health personnel needs with its domestically trained health personnel, including through measures to educate, retain and sustain a health workforce that is appropriate for the specific conditions of your country, including areas of greatest need?
Yes
[q9x1]
9.1 Measures taken to educate the health workforce
Continuous Education (CE) is done throughout the health sector and as a means of training and retrain the professionals in areas that are relevant to health.
9.2 Measures taken to retain the health workforce
Currently, not much is being done to retain the health workforce. In the absence of proper HRH planning it is difficult retain the workforce and to have a plan in place for such.
9.3 Measures taken to ensure the sustainability* of the health workforce
No specific measures are being taken to ensure sustainability at this time.
9.4 Measures taken to address the geographical mal-distribution of health workers
In the absence HRH planning, such measures are not addressed.
[q10]
10. Are there specific policies and/or laws, across governmental ministries, for internationally recruited and/or foreign-trained health personnel in your country?
No
[q11]
11. Recognizing the role of other parts of government, does the Ministry of Health have processes (e.g. policies, mechanisms, unit) to monitor and coordinate across sectors on issues related to the international recruitment and migration of health personnel?
No
[q12]
12. Has your country established a database or compilation of laws and regulations related to international health personnel recruitment and migration and, as appropriate, information related to their implementation?
No
[q9x3fn]
*Health workforce sustainability reflects a dynamic national health labour market where health workforce supply best meets current demands and health needs, and where future health needs are anticipated, adaptively met and viably resourced without threatening the performance of health systems in other countries (ref: Working for Health and Growth, Report of the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, WHO, 2016, available from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/250047/1/9789241511308-eng.pdf?ua=1
).
Responsibilities, Rights and Recruitment Practices
[q13]
13. Which legal safeguards and/or other mechanisms are in place to ensure that migrant health personnel enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities as the domestically trained health workforce? Please tick all options that apply from the list below:
13.a Migrant health personnel are recruited internationally using mechanisms that allow them to assess the benefits and risk associated with employment positions and to make timely and informed decisions regarding them
13.b Migrant health personnel are hired, promoted and remunerated based on objective criteria such as levels of qualification, years of experience and degrees of professional responsibility on the same basis as the domestically trained health workforce
The migrant health personnel are hired based on the required level of education and criteria established and set at a regional level, in terms of qualification and experience.
13.c Migrant health personnel enjoy the same opportunities as the domestically trained health workforce to strengthen their professional education, qualifications and career progression
All health personnel have equal opportunity in terms of continuing education, as it is required for the continuation within the health workforce.
13.d Other mechanisms, please provide details below if possible:
[q14]
14. Please submit any other comments or information you wish to provide regarding legal, administrative and other measures that have been taken or are planned in your country to ensure fair recruitment and employment practices of foreign-trained and/or immigrant health personnel.
An exam exists with is a legal requirement to become a Registered Nurse. This exam is administered by the General Nursing Council of the CARICOM. This exam has worked very well in the past for the recruitment of staff.
[q15]
15. Please submit any comments or information on policies and practices to support the integration of foreign-trained or immigrant health personnel, as well as difficulties encountered.
The difficulties encountered is that of the foreign-trained personnel sometimes do not meeting the requirements of the General Nursing Council - the do not pass the exams.
[q16]
16. Regarding domestically trained/ emigrant health personnel working outside your country, please submit any comments or information on measures that have been taken or are planned in your country to ensure their fair recruitment and employment practices, as well as difficulties encountered
Currently domestically trained nurses in particular are in demand all over. To date there has been no set recruitment of employment practices to address the issue.
Constraints, Solutions, and Complementary Comments
[q17]
17. Please list in priority order, the three main constraints to the implementation of the Code in your country and propose possible solutions:
| Main constraints | Possible solution | |
|---|---|---|
| The absence of a Unit focused on HRH | Pass and enact the Policy on HRH for the Department. | |
| Trained and qualified personnel in the area of HRH. | Provide training or provided financial support to staff to pursue qualifications at least at the Masters Level in HRH. | |
| Personnel to staff the Unit | Recruitment of additional personnel to staff the Unit. |
[q18]
18. Please submit any other complementary comments or material you may wish to provide regarding the international recruitment and migration of health personnel, as related to implementation of the Code.
[q18x1]
Please upload any supporting files