Staff exodus threatens Pacific health systems

The World Health Organisation says the loss of health workers from Pacific nations will push the region's health systems toward collapse.

It says a human resources crisis has overtaken funding issues as the biggest threat to public health, with an estimated global shortfall of more than four million doctors, nurses, dentists and others.

The organisation, which is holding its annual western Pacific meeting in Auckland this week, says Pacific governments face a shortage of health staff and will have to make major structural and fiscal changes.

It has urged member states to examine the infrastructure, technology, supplies and financing of their health systems, to understand why workers are leaving.

WHO says the effects of staff losses are being compounded by ageing populations, the burden of chronic diseases and new threats from emerging diseases.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA