Global Efforts to Respond to the Human Resources for Health Crisis

Numerous governments, international organizations, and civil society organizations have called attention to the HRH crisis globally and in sub-Saharan Africa in particular for some years. Over the past decade, some key events have been:
    • September 1998: Adoption of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Human Resources for Health by WHO Africa Region
    • Jan 2002: At a meeting in Ethiopia, WHO, the World Bank, and Rockefeller Foundation make a call to address the HRH crisis in Africa
    • July 2002: African heads of state and government decide to hold a special summit on human resources for health with special focus on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria
    • September 2002: Launch of Joint Learning Initiative on HRH
    • September 2003: Special session of ministers of health of the WHO Africa region on migration of health workers; WHA resolution on international migration of health workers adopted in        May 2004
    • January 2004: High-Level Forum on Health MDGs makes HRH a priority
    • February 2005, Overcoming the Crisis: Taking the Abuja Action Agenda Forward, hosted by NORAD
    • July 2005, Taking the Human Resources for Health Agenda Forward at the Country Level in Africa, A Regional Consultation Meeting hosted by WHO, NEPAD, ACOSHED

A summary of some key events and documents are provided here. Please click on each title for a summary of the event and links to more information.

Joint Learning Initiative on Human Resources for Health 

High Level Forum on Health MDGs: Abuja Action Plan

Overcoming the Crisis: Taking the Abuja Action Agenda Forward

WHO, World Health Report 2006: Working Together for Health

Global Health Workforce Alliance

Taking the Human Resources for Health Agenda Forward at the Country Level in Africa, A Regional Consultation Meeting hosted by WHO, NEPAD, ACOSHED (see file below) 

Some Other Key Websites and Documents on HRH

Some Key Documents on Community Health Workers