United Nations Radio

Addressing the World Health Assembly in Geneva today, Princess Muna Al-Hussein of Jordan urged governments to increase spending on health care.

She cited figures by the World Health Organization of a global deficit of 2.4 million doctors, nurses and midwives. She also said training of medical personnel is inadequate in many countries leading to insufficient clinical skills.

"The responsibility heavily rests upon governments, which must dramatically and conscientiously increase their efforts to provide better health and education services."

Princess Muna has been working with WHO on strengthening the health workforce, particularly nurses and midwives.

The World Health Assembly made up of 193 countries has the annual task of reviewing progress and setting new priorities for the World Health Organization.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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