The World Health Assembly activities and high-level discussions reflected the global appreciation and concern for health and care workers. Critically, Member States and all relevant stakeholders can act on that concern through concrete country-led policy and investment decisions.
At a concluding event co-hosted by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Frontline Health Workers Coalition, IntraHealth International and Seed Global Health, Ethiopia Minister of Health Dr Lia Tadesse introduced the plan to progress from Resolution to Action.
Of our debt to health workers, she stated, “Each successive disease outbreak and situation of conflict and violence spotlights their role, their dedication and their sacrifice… Yet we have not fully advanced from attention and appreciation to investment and action. We must – immediately – act to sustain, strengthen and optimize the workforce. Let us do so now, with every shred of our commitment, our influence, our purses, and our actions.”
Reflecting on the official proceedings, side events and discussions throughout the Assembly, Health Workforce Director Jim Campbell noted, “We are aligned. Now we must come together to act”. Panelists provided perspectives on the Africa CDC new public health order, the Biden-Harris Health Workforce Initiative, Frontline Health Worker Coalition priorities, and the national public health and emergency workforce roadmap. Participants, actively welcomed to engage, brought forward experience, recommendations and plans to move from commitment in Geneva to action and progress in countries.
Minister Tadesse invited all stakeholders and initiatives – the African Union Health Workforce task team, the Biden-Harris Health Worker Initiative, the European Union Initiative, COVID-19 efforts – to “lean in and leverage the fruits of enabling country-led partnership”.
She said, “It’s time to put our money where our mouth is and fully support, finance, and implement the Working for Health Action Plan and its global agenda. The previous plan was funded at 10%, yet its results and achievements were significant. Think of how much further we could go if we mobilize and increase our resources and partnerships collectively.”
Jim Campbell concluded, “To make progress on healthy lives, primary health care, UHC, pandemic preparedness and response, our science and data, we must work with the people, the workers, the health workers who lead these efforts.”
Action moving forward will focus on one health system, with the capacity to deliver on all essential health services and all essential public health functions, including emergency preparedness and response. This will allow Member States, their partners and global initiatives to focus on the education, competencies and availability of one health workforce, one financing and investment case and one measurement approach.
A recording of the event is available.