COVID-19 exposes health worker shortages in the USA and UK, but nationalism and self-interest must not exploit medical workforces from low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

To the Editor: To address the healthcare crisis created by corona virus disease 2019 (COVID19), the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs is actively seeking to recruit foreign medical professionals by expediting visa processes. Likewise, one of Boris Johnson's main manifesto promises was to recruit 50 000 more nurses for the National Health Service (NHS), which is also short of 11 500 doctors. In the Queen's speech to the British Parliament on 20 December 2019, it was stated that 'Steps will be taken to grow and support the National Health Service's workforce, and a new visa will ensure qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals have fasttrack entry to the United Kingdom. ' According to the government's 'NHS People Plan' , qualified doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with a job offer from the NHS, and who have been trained to a recognised standard, will be offered fasttrack entry, reduced visa fees and dedicated support to relocate. t therefore appears that the USA and UK intend to address the shortages of medical personnel, now exposed by the COVID19 pandemic, by recruiting doctors, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and pharmacists from low and middleincome countries (LMICs).