WMA 13.1 HRH economic growth_final

THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE, INC
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL, INC
Centre International de Bureaux FEIN : 13-2566243
Immeuble A “Keynes” Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13, chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 Boîte Postale 63
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Cedex
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
May 2017
WHA 70 Agenda Item 13.1: Human resources for health and implementation of the
outcomes of the United Nations’ High-Level Commission on Health Employment and
Economic Growth
Honourable Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the World Medical Association (WMA), representing 9 million
physicians worldwide.
WMA welcomes the report of the High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic
Growth and the clear statement on investing in health. Recognizing the importance of the health
workforce and the call for investment are crucial to achieve universal health coverage and the
SDGs.

WMA is committed to improving health worldwide through effective and equitable health care.
WMA advocates for a comprehensive health care system with primary care at the core, including
health promotion, prevention, secondary, tertiary care and rehabilitation, placing persons at the
center of medicine. In such a system, members of the health care team work collaboratively within
their scope of practice, acknowledging the relevant expertise of other team members.

Ensuring basic rights for health professionals, decent and safe working conditions, effective
recognition and a gender perspective are essential for the implementation of the report and will
lead to successful recruitment and retention of health professionals. This will be even more
important with the demographic trends indicating a high demand in the health workforce. WMA
together with the other professions of the WHPA developed the Positive Practice Environment
Campaign which exemplify what health care settings could do to foster satisfaction and resilience.

WMA underlines the key role of professional organizations in health employment policy, including
their role in the regulation of the profession. It is imperative to involve them in policy decisions
throughout the policy process.

With the trend of growing violence against healthcare workers, WMA reiterates the importance of
the right of health care workers to safe and decent working environments, free from
discrimination, coercion and violence. WMA has been a partner of the ICRC Health Care in Danger
initiative for many years.
WMA page 2
Thank you.