2024-09-29 17:05:34
In the context of a growing shortage of health professionals in Colombia, job intermediation portals, such as the Sena Public Employment Agency, are offering weekly calls for doctors and nurses in countries such as Germany, Canada, Spain and Switzerland, among others. . These opportunities not only promise competitive salaries, but also significant benefits such as permanent residency, bonuses, degree recognition, flexible hours, and continuing education. This situation has contributed to a worrying flight of talent in the Colombian health sector.
According to a study carried out by the Faculty of Nursing at the CES University in Medellín, Colombia has less than 10 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants, when the international recommendation establishes a minimum of 100 per 10,000. In the case of doctors, figures from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection indicate that there are approximately 138,000 practicing doctors in the country, but this figure is insufficient. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) highlights that Colombia is below the average of its members, with only 2.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to the average of 3.7.
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Dedsy Berbesi Fernández, dean of the Faculty of Nursing at CES University, underlined the urgency of this crisis: “Spain is experiencing an urgent need for nurses, and it is not just Spain. Developed countries actively seek these professionals, while in nations with fewer resources we also face this challenge.” The lack of personnel is impacting health systems around the world, generating a call to action to improve the training, retention and attraction of talent.
The challenge is evident: training and retaining these professionals is essential to improve the Colombian health system. The health union has expressed its disagreement with the working conditions and the lack of medical equipment necessary to carry out its work. Many professionals face long hours in emergency rooms, exacerbating the staffing crisis.
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In response to this situation, the union held the so-called White Coat March on April 21, 2024, where they raised their voices to demand better working conditions. This movement reflects the urgent need to address the difficulties faced by health professionals in Colombia, as well as the importance of creating an environment that encourages their permanence in the country.