Background
The WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (“the Code”) was adopted in 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA Res 63.16). The Code seeks to strengthen the understanding and ethical management of international health personnel recruitment and migration through strengthening data, information, and international cooperation.
Article 7 of the Code encourages WHO Member States to exchange information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. Article 9.4 states that the WHO Secretariat may consider reports from relevant stakeholders on activities related to implementation of the WHO Global Code. The WHO Director General is additionally mandated to report to the World Health Assembly every 3 years.
WHO Member States completed the 3rd round of national reporting in March 2019. The WHO Director General reported progress on implementation to the 72nd World Health Assembly in May 2019 (A 72/23). The 3rd Round of National Reporting additionally informed the Member-State led Review of the Code’s relevance and effectiveness, as presented to the 73rd WHA in 2020 (A 73/9).
The Review highlights that Code implementation, through targeted support and safeguards, is necessary to ensure that Health Emergency and Universal Health Coverage-related progress in Member States serves to reinforce rather than compromise similar achievement in others. In light of the considerations in the Report and decision WHA 73(30), the WHO Secretariat has additionally prepared the Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, 2020.
National reporting was conducted using the National Reporting Instrument (NRI), a country-based, self-assessment tool for information exchange and Code monitoring. The NRI enables WHO to collect and share current evidence and information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The findings from the 4th Round of National Reporting are to be presented at the 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022.
In tandem with the 4th Round of National Reporting for Member States, the Private Recruitment Agencies Reporting Instrument is being launched by WHO to facilitate the contribution from the Private Recruitment Agencies and to enrich the knowledge and lessons learnt from the Code’s implementation.
The deadline for submitting reports is 31 January 2022.
Support: hrhinfo@who.int
Disclaimer: Following the proceedings of the 75th World Health Assembly, the aggregated data reports presented at WHA will be made publicly available via the WHO website.
