United Nations Radio

A new report warns of an absolute shortage of health care professionals in more than 50 countries.

The World Health Report 2006 estimates that 57 countries will have a shortage of more than 2 million physicians, nurses and mid-wives.

The report says these shortages suggest that many countries have insufficient numbers of health care professionals to deliver essential health interventions, such as skilled attendance at birth and immunization programmes.

But the report explains that these estimates do not take into account the ability of countries to recruit and retain these health care workers.

According to the study published in the July edition of the WHO Bulletin, most African countries will face shortages to the year 2015 - the target date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 45")