International code for ethical recruitment of health workers to be reviewed

A meeting to formulate an international code of practice, which guides the ethical recruitment of health workers, will take place at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on 18 and 19 September.

Representatives from the Health Worker Migration Initiative Global Policy Advisory Council will meet on 18 and 19 September to review and develop their formal input to the draft Global Code of Practice. This collective input from stakeholders which make up the Council will be formally submitted for approval to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) member states at the World Health Assembly next year.

A full discussion of the draft Code and presentations by the Secretariat and others on the implementation challenges and successful factors for codes and agreements will take place at this meeting. They will also examine the role of the Gulf States in the global health worker labour market.

This meeting is jointly organised by the World Health Organisation, the Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA), and Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative. It is co-chaired by Mary Robinson, President of Realizing Rights and former President of Ireland, and Dr Francis Omaswa, former Executive Director of GHWA.

Members of the Global Policy Advisory Council, include health technicians and health ministers from around the globe. Other members are the Secretariat’s Health Adviser, Peggy Vidot, and Head of Health, Ernest Massiah.

“We are happy that we are able to have input in how the code aligns itself with the needs the Commonwealth Code and the needs of the Commonwealth’s member states,” said Ms Vidot.

“Whilst migration cannot be stopped, it should be managed so that health systems are not negatively affected. Migration can really bring benefits to all concerned. No group should lose out.”

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