Overview
World Health Worker Week (WHWWeek) is an annual global advocacy campaign dedicated to recognizing the vital contributions of health workers and mobilizing support for greater investments in the health workforce. Founded in 2013 by the Frontline Health Workers Coalition (FHWC), WHWWeek serves as a platform to elevate the voices of health workers across all cadres and to emphasize their critical role as the backbone of health systems worldwide. World Health Worker Week (WHWWeek) will be observed from April 1 to 7, 2025, under the theme “Health Workers: The Heart of Health.”
The campaign aligns with ongoing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen health systems through sustainable health workforce development. It provides an opportunity for governments, civil society, and global health partners to unite in advocating for policies and investments that support, protect, and empower health workers—particularly those serving in primary health care settings and underserved communities.
By 2030, there will be a shortage of 11 million health workers. Increased investment in the health workforce is not only necessary; it is a wise and worthwhile strategy to strengthen global health and achieve development targets. Well-trained, protected, and fairly compensated health workers lie at the core of effective health care.
Key messages
Strengthen the health workforce.
- WHO predicts a global shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, greatly impacting the global capacity for health resource provision.
- Studies show that for every dollar invested in the health workforce, there is a 9-fold economic return.
- A persistent lack of resources, protections, and support greatly inhibits health workers’ ability to provide sustainable health services. Advocacy must be translated into action– namely, policymakers must prioritize greater strategic investment in the global health workforce.
Investments in health workers deliver returns.
New and traditional donors, including philanthropic organizations, foundations, multilaterals, banks, and the private sector need to step up to close the existing gap in health workforce investment. Increased investment in health workers is good for business, the economy, and the advancement of broader development goals.
- To build resilient, sustainable health systems for the future, we must prioritize long-term investment in health workers– providing them with the resources, training and support needed to deliver reliable, high-quality care.
- Approximately 15% of the global real GDP is lost each year due to poor health. Investment in health has long-term economic yields.
- Investment in health workers may increase global life expectancy by up to 3.7 years and could save 60 million lives by 2030.
Protect health workers, who protect our health.
Health workers are the first line of prevention, as well as the principal providers of ongoing health services. The physical and mental health of health workers need to be guarded so that they, in turn, can provide optimal care to their communities.
- A robust health workforce is vital to the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Collaborative, cross-sectoral efforts must be made to align global health financing and implementation strategies with the needs of health workers everywhere.
- More than 60% of health workers have experienced some form of violence in their career. This threat, alongside additional obstacles such as unsustainable working conditions and inadequate compensation, leads to poor rates of workforce retention.
Value health workers, who facilitate good health and contribute to economic growth.
- Health workers are the heart of global health security, playing a crucial role in preventing and responding to pandemics, as well as addressing HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and maternal and child health challenges.
- Health workers don’t just improve community wellbeing – they are active contributors to global GDP. Healthier communities mean a more robust, productive workforce and lessened absenteeism in schools and employees, thus protecting and supporting global economies.
- Women comprise approximately 70% of health and are responsible for more than 75% of unpaid healthcare labor. All health workers must be fairly compensated so they are better able to provide for their families. Furthermore, health workers need to be given access to advancement opportunities, such as training and representation in leadership positions.
#WHWWeek #healthworkerssavelives
Recommended readings
- Health practitioner regulation: Design, reform and implementation guidance
- Procedure for Nepal Health Workforce Management Information System (NHWMIS) 2024
- Registration Status of Medical Doctors in Nepal
- Human Resources for Health (HRH) Projection in Nepal (2079-2087)
- Top Policy Recommendations to Invest in Health Workers
- WHO convenes the Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health
- Fifth Global Forum on Human Resources for Health
- WHO renews alert on safeguards for health worker recruitment
- World Health Worker Week 2022: Build the Health Workforce Back Better!
- National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy 2021-2030, Nepal
- Strategy for Skilled Health Personnel and Skilled Birth Attendants 2020-2025
- WHO and partners call for urgent investment in nurses
