The theme of World Health Day 2006 is the health workforce crisis.

More than ever, the world is suffering from a severe shortage of health workers. This means that people who need health care, medical interventions and services do not find enough health care workers to provide them with the necessary assistance, and as a result, may face greater illness or even death.

Many factors contribute to the health workforce crisis, including:

under-investment in health workers’ education and skills and low salaries

difficult working environments

national and international migration among health workers.

World Health Day is an opportunity to highlight the health workforce crisis and to find solutions to this complex problem at global, regional and national levels. It is also a chance to show appreciation for those working for health.