Human resources for health: Action framework for the Western Pacific Region (2011-2015)
Overview
Many health systems in the Western Pacific Region remain beset by a health workforce crisis: absolute shortages of qualified health workers; inequitable distribution of workers and inefficient skill mix; training and education poorly matched to patient and population needs; and financial constraints with poor motivation and retention in most lesser-resourced countries.
The Regional Strategy on Human Resources for Health (2006–2015), endorsed in resolution WPR/RC57.R7 by the WHO Regional Committee in 2006, guided the collaborative actions of WHO and Member States in strengthening health workforce responsiveness to population health needs through enhanced health system performance and service quality.
These actions included strengthening of national human resource strategic planning and human resources for health (HRH) information systems; reviews and updating of regulatory systems; initiatives addressing the quality and relevance of health professional education; analyses of policy options for rural and remote retention in selected countries, along with publication of global evidence-based policy recommendations on the same issue; and the formulation and dissemination of subregional and global codes of practice for the international recruitment of health workers.