Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday welcomed critical amendments to an international pact on health worker recruitment, saying this would soon translate to a more tangible benefit to the Philippines' very own health systems. At the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva this month, states approved a resolution to amend the 2010 WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (CODE).
According to Philippines News Agency, key revisions include countries agreeing to encourage 'co-investment' in health systems and the health workforce between the source and the worker-receiving countries. "Matagal na ang ating Pilipinas na nagbibigay ng ating mga nurses. Saludo tayo sa ating mga magagaling na nurses at hindi lang nurses, mga doktor, mga midwife, mga caregiver. Ang tanong, ano ba ang nagiging benepisyo para sa atin, at iyan iyong binabalanse ng ating Department of Health (We have long been producing qualified nurses. We honor them as well as the doctors, midwives and caregivers. But the question is what benefits is this providing us? That is what we at the DOH wants to balance)," DOH Undersecretary Albert Domingo said in a television interview on Friday.
Domingo said at least 33 co-sponsors supported the amendment to the CODE, which highlighted how receiving states recognize the need to provide greater support for source countries when the latter's nurses or health care professionals leave for employment abroad. For the Philippines, this support could come in the form of scholarships and possible assistance to public hospitals, strengthening the capacity of the country, he said.
Since its adoption in 2010, the CODE has undergone three rounds of reviews to assess its relevance and effectiveness. The WHO on May 23, 2026, said this first update in 16 years - triggered by the third review - "marks a milestone and an opportunity to renew global commitment to advancing health equity and further fostering global collaboration on the ethical governance of international mobility of health personnel."
