Strengthening the health workforce in the Americas: Focusing on critical shortages, distribution and quality

Abstract

Human resources for health (HRH) are essential for building an equitable health system based on primary health care and for achieving universal health. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the availability, distribution, and quality of health personnel and exposed chronic shortfalls in the health workforce across the Americas. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and its Member States are taking decisive action to address the critical shortage of health workers in the Americas through PAHO’s Policy on the Health Workforce 2030. This comprehensive approach focuses on: Strengthening governance, policy, and planning for human resources Supporting frameworks to enable a competent, fit-for-service workforce Promoting interprofessional teams and their implementation at the first level of care Building HRH capacities to address population health priorities Improving working conditions and advocating for reasonable and safe work environments for health workers.