The theme of the annual WHO forum focused on protecting, safeguarding, and investing in the health and care workforce. – Photo: ABC News

The World Health Organization (WHO) will conclude the fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health (HRH).

The Forum, which included high-impact decision-makers across a range of sectors, was held under the theme of protecting, safeguarding, and investing in the health and care workforce. The Forum analyzed the main experiences focusing on the policy response during the pandemic and highlighted opportunities for a post-COVID-19 era, like better supporting the health workforce and removing legal barriers to promote flexibility for workers.

Participants examined HRH policy solutions, investments, multi-sectoral coalitions to face health and care workforce challenges, and progress health systems towards universal health coverage and health security. The conversations from the Forum are expected to inform the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in September.

The conversations at the Forum will likely impact the goals of the Working for Health 2022-2030 Action Plan, which was developed to protect healthcare workers and develop the resilience of health systems. The Action Plan is expected to be refocused towards strengthening the capacities of countries at risk of not achieving UHC and SDG goals, and supporting the development and implementation of multisectoral costed health workforce and investment plans.