Geneva: The Philippines, through the Department of Health (DOH), has called for global action to address issues in the health and care workforce. In a side event at the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Tuesday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged countries, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to work together in strengthening the global health workforce.
According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa emphasized that this effort can be achieved through modern education and training systems, fair wages and decent working conditions, ethical international recruitment, and the adoption of innovative technologies for health worker training. A DOH statement on Wednesday highlighted Herbosa's call, which comes in response to alarming projections of a global shortfall of over 11 million health workers by 2030-a gap that is expected to particularly affect low-income and middle-income countries where healthcare systems are already under strain.
The talk was organized by countries including the Philippines, Ireland, Germany, Morocco, and Jamaica, alongside concerned groups such as the World Medical Association and the Frontline Health Workers Coalition. The event aimed to elevate the importance of strategic and inclusive action in building a future-ready health workforce.
The event also serves to build momentum for the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement Resolution, which seeks to address gaps and inequities exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic and to bolster global collaboration in preventing, preparing for, and responding to future health threats.
Herbosa formally assumed the presidency of the 78th WHA on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHA, comprised of 194 member-states, serves as the primary forum for crafting international health policies and setting global health priorities.
In these discussions, WHA delegates focus on key global health challenges, including pandemic preparedness, strengthening health systems, improving access to health technologies, and advancing universal health coverage.
