Welcome to Manila.
As we all know, health systems are strained and cannot cope and respond to population health needs due to shortages of health workers. In countries and areas with critical shortages, it is difficult both to increase access to, and to scale up health interventions to improve health outcomes or to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals such as improving maternal health and reducing infant and child mortality. The situation is further compounded by the migration of health personnel, often from rural to urban areas, from under-resourced countries to more affluent ones or into other sectors. In addition, the health workforce needs to be responsive to emerging global health challenges and initiatives such as the renewal of primary health care and the increasing demand for equitable access to health care.
In response to these health workforce challenges, the Regional Committee in 2006 endorsed the Regional Strategy on Human Resources for Health (2006–2015). The Strategy provides a range of policy options and practical guidance to Member States in developing and sustaining a health workforce that is sufficient, competent, responsive and adequately supported to meet the health needs of the population which it serves.
The main objective of this meeting is to review the progress in implementing the Strategy. In this process, I understand the meeting will focus on effective initiatives and lessons learnt, and will identify strategic actions to overcome challenges and to facilitate implementation of interventions. For me, the following are important: (1) going beyond policies and strategies to developing and implementing country- or context-specific action plans to overcome health workforce challenges; (2) strengthening the other components of the health systems to improve access to health care and to support the health workforce; and (3) determining how to improve linkages with other programmes and sectors. These are the areas where WHO would endeavour to strengthen our support to countries in the future – starting with countries where health needs and health workforce challenges are most pressing.
As mandated by the World Health Assembly, the WHO Secretariat has been working with key partners to develop a code of practice for the recruitment of health personnel. A draft code has been developed and we are now in the process of consulting with Member States and partners to obtain their inputs. We, therefore, look forward to your comments and inputs on the draft code at this meeting.
Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation to all of you for taking time from your work commitments to participate in this meeting. I look forward to hearing the outcomes and recommendations.
I wish you all a fruitful meeting and have a pleasant stay in Manila
I declare this meeting now open.