29 October 2017 - The Framework for Action on Health Workforce Development in the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2017-2030 was endorsed at the 64th Regional Committee in Islamabad, Pakistan in October 2017. Building on the Global strategy on human resources for health and recommendations from the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, the Framework for action for health workforce development in the Eastern Mediterranean Region guides to address major health workforce challenges faced in the region.

The goal of the regional framework is to ensure the availability of a fit-to-practice, fit-for-purpose health workforce which contributes to strengthening health systems to provide universal access to health care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It emphasizes that health workforce issues are strategic in nature, requiring systematic solutions. Therefore, only long-term actions, backed up by strong political commitment and adequate investment, will lead to the improvements required to attain sustainable results in developing the workforce. Comprehensive strategic planning is fundamental to addressing health workforce challenges in achieving universal health coverage and the targets of the SDGs.

The framework is built around four strategic objectives.

• Develop and implement comprehensive health workforce policies and strategic plans to optimize health workforce availability, accessibility, acceptability, quality and performance, based on an understanding of labour market dynamics.

• Strengthen capacities for health workforce governance and regulation.

• Mobilize and align investment in the health workforce to ensure implementation of strategic plans to meet current and future health workforce needs.

• Strengthen the health workforce information base for designing, implementing and monitoring health workforce strategic plans.

Framework for Action on Health Workforce Development in the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2017-2030