THE Ministry of Health's Human Resource Development and Training Policy for 2012 to 2015 will ensure that training development opportunities are offered to every officer at every level of the ministry.
Permanent secretary for the Health Ministry, Doctor Eloni Tora, said the policy was a major priority for the ministry and the government as it allowed them to achieve the ministry's strategic goals.
Dr Tora said the review of the policy reflected the Ministry of Health's commitment and recognition of the importance of capacity development and training for its workers.
"The increase in public demand for quality services is pushing us to make sure that our staff are well qualified to provide that services that are demanded by the public," he said.
He said the objective of the policy was to facilitate a more efficient, transparent and accountable administration of all training programs within the health workforce.
"It is to provide equitable ongoing and in-service training opportunities to all health officers for professional development."
Dr Tora said the policy was to guide and facilitate the development, implementation and revision of a strategic workforce plan and the succession plan for the ministry.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Resident Representative, Shumon Yoshiara said the review and launch of the policy was an important milestone for human resource development.
"There is now an updated and more relevant framework and human capital is more important than any other resources and we need such policies and framework to ensure we have a sustainable level of human capital at all times," Mr Yoshiara said.