Within the context of strengthening health systems and moving towards universal health coverage, health workforce development is a priority. While some countries have developed health workforce strategic plans others have yet to do so but this planning is essential in order to address health workforce challenges in the Region.

Effective coordination among various stakeholders is crucial for planning and implementation of health workforce strategies and management.

Ministries of health, education, finance and civil service/labour, professional councils and associations, academic institutions and others have critical roles in addressing the challenges relating to health workforce. Effective governance structures are crucial to ensuring effective mechanisms and platforms for collaboration and cooperation. Increasing the involvement of the private sector and other non-state actors in both the education and employment of health workers will strengthen the regulation of both education and practice of health professionals.

Related links

Global strategy on human resources for health: Workforce 2030

Health workforce requirements for universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals