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:
Bhutan
[q01b]
Contact information:
Full name of institution:
Ministry of Health
Name of designated national authority:
Samten Lhendup
Title of designated national authority:
HR Officer
Telephone number:
+97517461810
Email:
slhendup@health.gov.bt
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
Financial support to have database
3.b Support for policy dialogue and development
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?
Yes
[q4x1]
Please describe:
Records are maintained in our system called personal information system and Civil Service Information System.
[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 | 297 | 44 | 247 | 6 | 291 | 6 | Administrative data | 6 doctors are contract doctors and foreign national |
| Nurses | 171 | 171 | 171 | 0 | 171 | 0 | Administrative data | These category of nurses have entry qualification of Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Midwives | 982 | NA | NA | NA | 981 | 1 | Administrative data | Some nurses have trained in Inida |
| Dentists | 66 | 0 | 66 | 0 | 66 | 0 | Administrative data | Total dentist include specialist dental surgeon |
| Pharmacists | 30 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 30 | 0 | Administrative data | All 30 Pharmacist are regular employee and national |
[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:
[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
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?
Yes
[q8x1]
8.1 Please provide the text and/or web-links to the agreements or arrangements
Please upload file
No comment
[q8x1wl]
Web-links:
[q8x2]
8.2 If documentation is unavailable, please use Table A on next screen to describe the bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements or arrangements:
Table A Description of bilateral, multilateral, regional agreements or arrangements
Table A Description of bilateral, multilateral, regional agreements or arrangements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
[q8x2fx1]
Title of Agreement
Memorandum of understanding
[q8x2ax1]
Type of Agreement
Bilateral
[q8x2bx1]
Countries Involved
Thailand
[q8x2cx1]
Coverage
National
[q8x2dx1]
Main content of agreements (Include all that apply)
Education and training
Institutional capacity building
Promotion of circular migration
Retention strategies
Recognition of health personnel
Recruitment of health personnel
Twinning of health care facilities
Other mechanism (include details if possible)
[q8x2ex1]
Categories of Health Personnel (Include all that apply)
Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
[q8x2gx1]
Validity period
2018-2023
[q8x2fx2]
Title of Agreement
[q8x2ax2]
Type of Agreement
[q8x2bx2]
Countries Involved
[q8x2cx2]
Coverage
[q8x2dx2]
Main content of agreements (Include all that apply)
Education and training
Institutional capacity building
Promotion of circular migration
Retention strategies
Recognition of health personnel
Recruitment of health personnel
Twinning of health care facilities
Other mechanism (include details if possible)
[q8x2ex2]
Categories of Health Personnel (Include all that apply)
Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
[q8x2gx2]
Validity period
[q8x2fx3]
Title of Agreement
[q8x2ax3]
Type of Agreement
[q8x2bx3]
Countries Involved
[q8x2cx3]
Coverage
[q8x2dx3]
Main content of agreements (Include all that apply)
Education and training
Institutional capacity building
Promotion of circular migration
Retention strategies
Recognition of health personnel
Recruitment of health personnel
Twinning of health care facilities
Other mechanism (include details if possible)
[q8x2ex3]
Categories of Health Personnel (Include all that apply)
Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
[q8x2gx3]
Validity period
[q8x2fx4]
Title of Agreement
[q8x2ax4]
Type of Agreement
[q8x2bx4]
Countries Involved
[q8x2cx4]
Coverage
[q8x2dx4]
Main content of agreements (Include all that apply)
Education and training
Institutional capacity building
Promotion of circular migration
Retention strategies
Recognition of health personnel
Recruitment of health personnel
Twinning of health care facilities
Other mechanism (include details if possible)
[q8x2ex4]
Categories of Health Personnel (Include all that apply)
Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
[q8x2gx4]
Validity period
[q8x2fx5]
Title of Agreement
[q8x2ax5]
Type of Agreement
[q8x2bx5]
Countries Involved
[q8x2cx5]
Coverage
[q8x2dx5]
Main content of agreements (Include all that apply)
Education and training
Institutional capacity building
Promotion of circular migration
Retention strategies
Recognition of health personnel
Recruitment of health personnel
Twinning of health care facilities
Other mechanism (include details if possible)
[q8x2ex5]
Categories of Health Personnel (Include all that apply)
Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
[q8x2gx5]
Validity period
[q8x3]
8.3 Are recommendations of the WHO Global Code reflected in the agreements (e.g. taking into account the needs of developing countries)?
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
Established the Medical University in Bhutan in 2012 and started PG Residency Training from July 2014.
9.2 Measures taken to retain the health workforce
Health workers are paid medical allowance besides their salary
9.3 Measures taken to ensure the sustainability* of the health workforce
Royal Government of Bhutan has plan to start undergraduate Program (MBBS) programmes in the country
9.4 Measures taken to address the geographical mal-distribution of health workers
Health workers serving in the rural areas are paid difficulty allowance and high altitude allowance
[q10]
10. Are there specific policies and/or laws, across governmental ministries, for internationally recruited and/or foreign-trained health personnel in your country?
Yes
[q10x1]
10.1 Please provide further information in the box below:
Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulation has a policy to:
1. Recruit International volunteers in areas where requisite qualification, experience and skills are scarce.
2. Strengthen bilateral relation between the Royal Government of Bhutan and
development partners;
3. Capacity building of Civil Servants, exchange of ideas and knowledge.
[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
They are entitled leave, travel allowance and medical insurance
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
Health personnel recruited internationally on contract basis and they are paid much higher than the national health personnel
13.c Migrant health personnel enjoy the same opportunities as the domestically trained health workforce to strengthen their professional education, qualifications and career progression
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.
Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan have been recruiting expatriate medical specialist under special pay package scheme, where they are paid much higher than the national health professionals.
[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.
Bhutan recruit expatriate medical specialist based on the pay structure approved by the Cabinet. Require approval from the Cabinet for recruitment of expatriate specialist. There is language barrier for expatriate medical specialist working in Bhutan. For instance recruiting medical specialist from Cuba, they cannot speak English.
[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
Since Bhutan have shortage of health professionals, especially the medical doctors, Royal Government of Bhutan does not encourage our health professionals working in other countries. Retention of health professionals has been a challenge to the Ministry of Health, Bhutan.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Government of Bhutan cannot afford to pay salary for the expatriate specialist at par with other countries in the region | Financial support from WHO and recruitment of expatriate specialist | |
| Expatriate medical specialist are not willing to come and work in Bhutan due to low pay package | Increase the pay package | |
| There is language barrier for the expatriate specialist working in Bhutan | Expatriate specialist need to learn English to work in Bhutan |
[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.
The shortage of medical specialist has been one of the greatest challenges of the Ministry of Health, Bhutan. Bhutan being a small country and a developing nation, a timely intervention and mechanism should be in place to address such matter for sustainability of free healthcare services to the people of Bhutan.
[q18x1]
Please upload any supporting files