While attending the Conference on Philippine-Pacific Partnership on Sustainable Health Workforce for Health Security from November 27-29, 2024 in Makati, Philippines, Secretary Marcus Samo met his counterpart from the Republic of the Philippine Department Health, Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, to discussed health issues of mutual concerns. The discussion concluded in a form of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two secretaries. The MOU provided for the Philippines Government to field specialized visiting medical teams to the FSM in obstetrics and gynecology to provide training to medical staff and for the FSM to cover transportation and accommodation cost. It is hope that such partnership will lead to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates. Through the MOU, FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs will identify the medical specialty and the Philippines Department of Health will source the medical team.
The MOU was initialed by Under Secretary of Health, Dr Kenneth G. Ronguillo from the Philippines Department of Health and the Mr. Robert Nakasone Jr. from the FSM Department of Justice as witnesses.
Secretary Herbosa and the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Western Pacific Region jointly convened the conference and brought in seventeen (17) Ministers from the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and donor partners to address the pressing need of sustainable health workforce for the region. It was ideal for the Philippines to host the event given its central location in the region, the presence of many UN agencies and partners, and its reputation in producing and exporting skilled health workforce.
The outcome statement from the meeting highlighted the commitment for joint collaboration and partnership in addressing the issues of shortage in skilled health workforce. It was well acknowledged that without having adequate number of health workforce with the right skills, competence, attitude, and morale, the region will continue to face health security threat.
