Global Health Workforce Crisis: Key messages 2013

Overview

Despite the increased evidence that health workers are fundamental for ensuring equitable access to health services and achieving universal health coverage, there are many countries that continue to experience a severe health workforce shortage. Strengthening the health workforce must be made a key priority for countries if they are to be successful in achieving universal health coverage. Integrated and harmonized approaches are required, that pay attention to critical steps in the “supply chain” of health workers and that also recognize the role that different constituencies in society play. This entails addressing capacity, management and working conditions, as well as a solid understanding of the health labour markets dynamics that affect the production, deployment, absorption in the health system, performance and motivation of the health workforce.