Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - French Polynesia

Article 2(1) of the Convention. National policy on nursing services and nursing personnel. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the “Health Plan 2001–05” was followed by the “Health Organization Plan 2003–07”, an evaluation of which was undertaken in May 2008 but is not currently available. It also notes that this Plan was not attached to the report, contrary to the Government’s indications. The Committee therefore requests the Government to send a copy of the Plan and its evaluation. It also requests the Government to supply information on any specific measures taken with regard to improving the career prospects of nursing personnel and the quality of nursing care pursuant to this five-year Plan.

Article 7. Occupational safety and health. With reference to its previous comment concerning prevention of the infection of nursing personnel by blood-transmissible agents, the Committee notes the Government’s indication to the effect that a “blood accident protocol” document has existed since 2006. While noting that very few cases of infection by HIV/AIDS have been recorded in French Polynesia, the Committee wishes to refer to the HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200), adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2010, and in particular Paragraphs 31 and 37 thereof, which provide for the adoption of occupational safety and health measures, particularly in occupations most at risk, including in the health sector, and also for the implementation of national HIV/AIDS policies and programmes through sectoral strategies, with particular attention paid to the sectors in which workers are most at risk.

The Committee also notes that the first Polynesian training days on the nature, prevention and management of risks within health structures took place in Tahiti in November 2007. As a result, proposals for action are being drawn up with a view to improving nursing careers. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on any new developments concerning the proposals for action formulated as a result of the Polynesian training days on the nature, prevention and management of risks within health structures. It also requests the Government to continue to supply information on any new developments or initiatives in this sphere with a view to improving the protection of nursing personnel against infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on the organization of health-care services (number of hospitals, clinics and health centres, geographical distribution of medical facilities, nurse-to-population ratio, changes in the numbers of nursing staff in recent years), and also on any broader issues having an impact on the quality of nursing services (financial situation of health establishments, human resources management, medical research and new technologies, etc.). It also requests the Government to supply copies of official reports or studies relating to nursing services, as well as information on any practical difficulties encountered in the implementation of the Convention, such as understaffing, the migration of nursing personnel, etc.