Migration of Health Workers: WHO Code of Practice and the Global Economic Crisis

Overview

This publication examines country-level responses to the international movement of health personnel, both before and after adoption of the WHO’s Global Code (“the Code”) of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel in 2010 by WHO 193 member states. It provides evidence of the complexities underlying policy measures taken to manage health worker mobility and migration in each of the 13 country case studies: Australia, Belgium, Canada, El Salvador, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It reflects the strong influence of the Code as a voluntary instrument that promotes international dialogue and advances cooperation matters related to health personnel mobility as part of strengthening health systems.