The WHO’s World Health Report 2006 finds that fifty-seven countries have a serious shortage of health workers.  They go on to state that life expectancies in the poorest countries are half of those in the richest nations.

Sub-Saharan Africa has 11% of the world’s population and 24% of the global burden of disease but only 3% of the world’s health workers.

The report also blames Western countries that are “poaching” healthcare staff from these countries.

The WHO is calling for more direct investment in healthcare training and support of health workers.

It says health budgets should increase by at least US$10 per person per year in the 57 countries with severe shortages, to educate and pay for the four million health workers needed.

Wow, talk about a pipe-dream.  I think they should spend more money on educating the populations about birth control.