Recognizing health and care workers in the WHO European Region

9 December 2021

Since the start of the pandemic, health and care workers have been under unprecedented pressure as they provide care to COVID-19 patients, maintain essential health services, and now roll out life-saving vaccines.

Their work has always been a crucial step on the road to universal health coverage, but the pandemic has brought to the fore both their contributions and sacrifices.

The year 2021 was designated by WHO as the International Year of Health and Care Workers in appreciation and gratitude for their unwavering dedication. Throughout the year, WHO/Europe has highlighted the voices of health and care workers from across the Region, calling on countries to invest in their care and well-being.

The photos below show the different ways in which health and care workers have kept us all safe during these challenging times. Taken in countries throughout the Region, the images depict a wide range of health workers providing care to a diverse group of patients.

The International Year of Health and Care Workers

The year provided an opportunity to shine a light on how countries are making concrete financial investments to better recruit, retain and recognize health and care workers across the Region.

If we are to prevent future pandemics and achieve health and well-being for all by 2030, countries will need to shift their priorities to invest in and protect the health and care workforce.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the strength and resilience of health workers all over the world. As frontline workers, they have made enormous personal sacrifices and experienced personal loss, pain and suffering. They deserve better recognition and investment in their work.

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Primary care teams continued to work closely with patients to provide essential services during the pandemic, while responding to the health crisis. Here, family doctors are working with a patient in Azerbaijan.

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A nurse administers a COVID-19 vaccine in Malta. During the pandemic, nurses have been crucial in rolling out vaccines at the right scale and pace, while tackling vaccine hesitancy in their communities.

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Midwives play a key role in providing quality comprehensive prenatal, perinatal and postnatal care. Here, a midwife stands with a young mother and her new-born in Kyrgyzstan.

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Two community health workers assist a Syrian refugee in Turkey. Community health workers provide home care to refugees who cannot access services because of their age or disability.

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The pandemic has seen all health and care workers step up to the fight, undertaking roles not previously expected. Leaders have emerged that will take health systems forwards. With only 20% of leadership roles in health care assumed by women, it is time to invest in and support women aspiring to leadership.

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A young pharmacist in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine. Pharmacists are often the first point of contact in their communities, answering people’s questions on general health conditions.

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A young doctor in Romania provides rehabilitation support to a COVID-19 patient. The long-term effects of COVID-19 have highlighted the need for better rehabilitation support for patients.

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Health and care workers have been at the heart of the COVID-19 response. Testing and contact tracing have been essential in the management of the pandemic. Here, a young worker works at a COVID-19 testing centre in Denmark.

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Lab technicians check and label patient records in Uzbekistan. Timely, accurate and careful processing of lab samples ensures patients are cared for in a timely, safe and efficient manner.

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