IAS Members Working Together for a Stronger Health Workforce

IAS General Members and Policy Meeting

Sydney, 24th July 2007

Strategic Objectives

‘Stronger Together’ 2007 - 2009:

Facilitate policy development that will enhance HIV/AIDS research and service delivery, and to advance such policy through strong and effective advocacy.

Objectives of IAS Policy Advocacy

Promote Evidence for an effective response Influence Policy development Challenge Accountability and Lesson Learning

Why? The Health Workforce Crisis is Critical for the IAS

Critical Shortage -

4.3 m. worldwide & 1 m. for Africa

Production capacity

Resources for HCW education

Death from HIV -

Leading cause of attrition of HCW

ARV treatment access for HCW

Stigma undermining scale up

Direct Impact on Membership -

Health Worker 3879

Research 2165

Policy/Advocacy 1577

Others 3754

Increased Expectations -

Scale up to Universal Access

Global Health Initiatives (MDGs)

- Global Stop TB Plan

- Roll Back Malaria

- Maternal and Child Health

The Face of the Global Health Workforce Crisis -

Countries with a critical shortage of health service providers (doctors, nurses and midwives)

Source: World Health Report 2006 – Working Together for Heath

Global Crisis: Foreign Trained Doctors in Selected OECD Countries -

Global Crisis: Vacancies in Public Health Facilities in Malawi -

Health Care Worker Posts EHP Posts filled % vacancies

Medical Doctors 433 162 63%

Clinical Officers 1,405 1,033 26%

Nurses 8,440 3,416 60%

Medical Assistants 1500 491 67%

Pharmacy technician 269 134 50%

Med Lab technician 507 182 64%

Health Surveillance/Asst. 11,000 4,664 58%

Source: Ministry of Health - Planning Department, June 2006

What Key Factors Drive the Global Health Workforce Crisis?

Absolute shortages; inadequate salaries and poor working conditions lead to ‘brain drain’,

Unequal distribution – Urban/Rural; Private/Public,

Crushing Workloads; National policy and regulatory barriers to ‘Task Shifting’,

Lack of adequate investment, long-term national and international resources to address crisis,

Macro-economic concerns and limits on spending from international finance institutions,

Mapping the International Response: Policy and Action

National Action – HRH Development Plans Global Health Workforce Alliance WHO

Treat, Train and Retain (US$ 7 billion needed)

Task Shifting

Human Resource Observatories Funding (Donor) Strategies

G8 Commitments

EU Strategy for Action

GFATM

Civil Society Advocacy

Discussion Points

How: IAS can add value to regional and international policy advocacy efforts on expanding and sustaining a health workforce able to meet demands of scaling up to Universal Access to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services?

What: Key areas / themes to focus action? (2007-2009)

What: Major activities for Mexico 2008?

What: Key Partnerships and opportunities for Collaboration?

How: Engaging Members as Advocates?

Some ideas for IAS:

Better use of existing tools (Website, e-JIAS, ILF) IAC and IAS conferences as permanent forums for advocacy and

debates adressing HCW crisis Promoting debates at the Regional Conferences Organizing the International HCW day To promote “The White book” on HCW crisis To liaise with WHO and UNAIDS To liaise with professional HCW organizations at global, regional

and national levels To develop a lobbying program aimed to political leaders and

donors from the OECD countries To expand our educational efforts ………………

For more information about the IAS:

Visit our website: www.iasociety.org Email: info@iasociety.org