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Human Resources for Health

Human resources for health is essential to the achievement of MDGs

Code of Practice Flyer front

Responding to the global shortage of health workers

In 2006, the WHO estimated that there was a global shortage of 4.3 million health workers. Sixteen Commonwealth countries were identified as having critical heath worker shortages. Movements of health personnel have serious consequences for the delivery of health services, particularly in developing countries. There is a direct relationship between the ratio of health workers to the population and survival of women during pregnancy and childbirth. As the number of health workers decreases, maternal health also declines.

Human recources for health is essential to the achievement of MDGs. The targeted international recruitment of health professionals led the Commonwealth to develop the 2003 Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health Workers.

Since 2000, interest has grown on the migration of health professionals from Commonwealth countries. There is a global demand for the Secretariat’s work in this area, including invitations to present the Commonwealth Code of Practice at many non-Commonwealth meetings. We are implementing a variety of projects which will contribute to the promotion and adoption of the code in member states and on a global level.

The Commonwealth Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health Workers

The Commonwealth Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health Workers is one output from the deliberations of Commonwealth Health Ministers on the complex issue of migration of health personnel. It is premised on Commonwealth values of mutual support and fairness and provides a framework for interaction between countries as they seek to meet the basic health needs of their populations.

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Companion Document to the Commonwealth Code of Practice for theInternational Recruitment of Health Workers

The Commonwealth Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health Workers has been deliberately kept brief to facilitate easy interpretation and implementation. It is supported by this 'Companion Document', which provides information on definition of terms used in the Code, which may have different interpretations, and more detailed explanations of concepts.

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Contact: p.vidot@commonwealth.int