National and subnational data on the health workforce is a prerequisite for evidence-informed policy. Many countries and subnational authorities face challenges in reporting and publishing a full account of the human resources for health situation; the information is often dispersed across institutions, with incomparable infrastructure and capacity constraints (especially in data collection and utilization). Amid these challenges future health and social protection systems are evolving, demanding new, intelligent responses to drive efficiency and improve outcomes.
The WHO Health Workforce department is engaged in multiple efforts and partnerships to: improve minimum, interoperable data sets; enable national authorities to develop strategic intelligence on human resources for health; and inform health workforce projections in relation to population needs and health systems priorities.
The National Health Workforce Accounts is a system by which countries progressively improve the availability, quality, and use of data on health workforce through monitoring of a set of indicators to support achievement of Universal Health Coverage, Sustainable Development Goals and other health objectives.
The SDG agenda gives recognition to Universal Health Coverage as key to achieving all other health targets. SDG3c sets a target to "substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States."
The National Health Workforce Accounts is a system by which countries progressively improve the availability, quality, and use of data on health workforce through monitoring of a set of indicators to support achievement of Universal Health Coverage, Sustainable Development Goals and other health objectives.