Strengthening 21St Century Global Health Systems: Investing Strategically in the Health Care Workforce
Strengthening 21st Century Global Health Systems: Investing Strategically in the Health Care Workforce Summit Co-Chairs: Ann E. Kurth, PhD, CNM, FAAN and Marilyn A. DeLuca, PhD, RN Welcome Dear Honorable Ministers of Health, Honored Guests, Colleagues and Partners, Our warm, most earnest welcome. The Global Summit on Strengthening 21st Century Global Health Systems: Investing Strategically in the Health Care Workforce could not be more timely. Two weeks ago, many of us here today had the opportunity to participate in special sessions at the United Nations on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The same week 1,200 individuals, including 50 heads of state, 450 business leaders and representatives from 500 non-governmental organizations from across the globe attended the weeklong Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). In both settings, the same message echoed: the time has come for all constituencies to step up and build adequate numbers of educated, competent health workers, working within strong and efficient health systems. We need to strategically increase the number of all health cadres, from community volunteers up through health care professionals including nurses, midwives, and physicians. A root-cause of the lack of appropriate health care, be it for attended birth or dignified end of life, is the lack of health care providers. This message is not new. In recent years, some have worked to develop health care workforce programs that have been accompanied by relatively minimal amounts of funding. Yet, today we remain far from reaching the minimum target of 2.3 health workers per 1,000 people in the 57 highest need countries. Importantly, we must strengthen global health systems and workforce in an era of continued economic challenge.
[Show full text]