HALF of all front-line health and care sector workers around the world have considered quitting, according to a new survey published by a global union body.

The survey by Public Services International (PSI), issued ahead of the organisation’s world congress in Geneva which began on October 12, said the possible mass exodus of workers raised concerns about the sustainability of health and care services across the world.

More than half — 58 per cent — of respondents said the main reason for wanting to leave their roles was low pay and staff shortages leading to increased hours (49 per cent).

Many said they have seen patients in their care die due to a lack of adequate staffing. 

PSI said it wants to see stronger public investment from government, rather than market-based or private healthcare provision. 

Assistant general secretary Daniel Bertossa said: “Just a few years ago, we celebrated our health workers as heroes. Now, the vast majority of these professionals feel betrayed by their leaders. Insufficient public investment in our healthcare systems is creating life-threatening risks for both patients and staff. 

“Skilled workers like these take time to train. We are perilously close to not having enough skilled staff to train the new staff we need. As shortages become more profound, the failures of band-aid solutions will become  more acute,” he said.

Gita Devi Thing Paudel, a community health worker from Kathmandu and president of the Nepal Health Volunteer Association, said: “My patients have waited for doctors, but there are no doctors there, only auxiliary nurses.”

Fernanda Boriotti, a biomedical health worker from Rosario in Argentina, said: “Our health centre has been without water for more than a month.

We workers really can’t continue to provide healthcare in this way. We are exhausted.”

Bill Muriuki, a doctor working in Nyeri, Kenya, said: “I have seriously considered quitting my job after feeling that I was really not able to do enough for my patients.”

Responding to the PSI research, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Health and care workers protect us day in and day out. 

“Whether in local health centres, care facilities, fighting disease outbreaks or in emergency responses to conflict and climate-related disasters, they face major challenges that demand a major response. We owe them our gratitude and duty of care.”  

The WHO estimates the world now faces a deficit of a staggering 15 million health workers.