Davao City (4 November) -- The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Washington, D.C. has reported a significant manpower shortage in the US health care industry.

       In a statement released through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)’s Mindanao Center, POLO said the shortage is not only limited to nurses but also includes medical assistants, home health aides, medical records and health information technicians.

       As disclosed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), approximately 1.89 million full-fledged registered nurses were placed in year 2000 out of the 2 million job orders.

       Given these figures, there is an estimated shortage of 110,000 nurse positions, POLO said. The USDHHS further disclosed that the shortage is expected to grow by 12 percent by year 2010 and if current trend continues, will increase by 29 percent in year 2020.

       According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for other healthcare workers will continue to grow from 2002-2012; 59 percent for medical assistants; 48 percent for home health aides and 47 percent for medical records and health information technicians. Meantime, the U.S. Department of Labor and Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) has strengthened alliances with business, education and workforce leaders to help address the issue on the shortages. DOLETA has also partnered with employers and education providers in developing skills training solutions nationally that can be used by both state and local public workforce system. (PIA/POEA-Mindanao Center).