CD15/17: Training of auxiliary personnel

Publication year: 1964

During the course of the 50th Meeting of the Executive Committee, the Representative of Mexico emphasized that the Organization should increase its assistance to the countries in the training of the auxiliary personnel. The shortage of auxiliary personnel was a problem which would become more and more acute as the countries of Latin America continued to expand their public health programs at a more rapid pace than that at which professional personnel in various branches of medicine were being trained. He pointed out that the more advanced countries used auxiliary personnel under the supervision of professional health workers to a much greater. extent than did developing countries and, as a result, they were able to cope with general health activities.* In the course of the discussion on the item mentioned above, it was pointed .out that, in addition to-the training of professional personnel in all categories, the Organization made every effort within the limits of its technical and budgetary possibilities to prepare auxiliary personnel. In 1963, a total of 5,574 auxiliary workers had been trained in projects which were assisted by the Organization. As the duration of training varied from country to country (from 2 weeks to nine months) it was extremely difficult to determine how much time the Organization consultants devoted to training. Furthermore, the number given above should be increased by that of the auxiliary personnel trained by the countries themselves, without direct assistance from the Organization, which was'undoubtedly much higher. (AU)