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Date: 22 April 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am (EDT)
Languages: The event will offer simultaneous interpretation into Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
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Background
Human Resources for Health (HRH) are fundamental to the efficient functioning of health systems and services, as well as to achieving the goals toward universal access and health coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Even while recognizing the role they play, countries face several challenges in achieving a resilient health workforce, such as a shortage of qualified personnel, difficulty in retaining professionals, and an unequal geographic distribution. These challenges limit the capacity of health systems to respond effectively to the needs of the population and achieve health objectives.
In this context, human resources for health information systems (HRHIS) have become a priority for countries in the Americas, which aspire to have accurate and up-to-date data on health personnel. Well-established systems allow for more informed decision-making, effective strategic planning, and facilitate the proper management of the healthcare workforce.
The Pan American Health Organization has been supporting countries in strengthening and building their HRHIS, based on the vision of the National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA). The NHWA provide a comprehensive framework for countries to guide the development of their HRHIS around the labor market components, thus generate evidence to align the availability and competences of their workforce with the health needs of their populations.
Given the need to obtain a clear picture of the state of the health workforce in the region, PAHO has prepared a regional report entitled "The Health Workforce in the Americas: Regional Data and Indicators." This is the first in the Region of the Americas that consolidates and publishes data, using priority indicators defined and validated with the countries of the region. This report serves as an essential baseline for the region, providing essential data that will guide future strategies and policies aimed at improving the availability, quality, and use of information.
Objectives of the Webinar
- Presenting the publication “The Health Workforce in the Americas: Regional Data and Indicators”
- Discussing the importance of Health Workforce information on decision-making and the development of public policy on Human Resources for Health in the countries of the Region
Agenda
Welcome: Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., Director, Pan American Health Organization
Roundtable Discussion on the Importance of Health Workforce information on decision-making and the development of public policy on Human Resources for Health
- Moderator: Benjamín Puertas, Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health, PAHO/WHO
- Bernardo Martorell, Subsecretary of Healthcare Networks, Ministry of Health, Chile
- National Authority, Costa Rica (TBC)
- Ana Virgínia Moreira Gomes, Assistant Director-General & Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Jaime Saavedra, Director of Human Development for Latin America and the Caribbean, World Bank
Regional Report: "The Health Workforce in the Americas: Data and Regional Indicators."
- Ana Paula Cavalcante de Oliveira, Specialist in Human Resources for Health Development, PAHO/WHO
Video – Policies and Management of the Health Workforce
The Future of Cooperation and New Technologies in Health Workforce Development
- Benjamin Puertas, Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health, PAHO/WHO
Closing Remarks
- James Fitzgerald, Director, Department of Health Systems and Services PAHO/WHO
Resources