20 September 2016: The final report of the Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth finds that addressing the health employment deficit can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets on inclusive economic growth, decent work and universal health coverage. The Commission notes that, while the global economy is projected to create around 40 million new health sector jobs by 2030, mostly in middle- and high- income countries, a projected shortage of 18 million health workers will remain in terms of achieving the SDGs, primarily in low and lower-middle income countries (MICs).

The report was launched on 20 September 2016, on the sidelines of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in New York, US. The Permanent Missions of France and South Africa, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) co-organized the launch event.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed the Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth on 2 March 2016, tasking it with proposing actions to stimulate the creation of health and social sector jobs as a means to advance inclusive economic growth, while paying specific attention to the needs of low- and lower MICs. The Commission is co-chaired by François Hollande, President of France, and Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa. The vice-chairs are Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General; Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General; and Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General.

Hollande called the report “very encouraging” as it shows that investment in health is probably the best type of investment that can be made, both for the public authorities and the private sector. He said the report stresses the need for: investments in education, especially with regards to training health-care personnel in lower-income countries; investments in social workers and research and development; implementing measures to attract and retain health care personnel in the lower-income countries; and mobilizing domestic, international, and private sector financing.

Zuma said increasing health employment and economic growth could help developing countries to overcome their three major challenges: unemployment, poverty and inequality. He stressed the need to: provide access to affordable medicines and medical programs; invest in a healthy and “more aligned” health force; and focus on primary health care.

Joanne Liu, International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), stressed the need for political leadership to protect medical missions in conflict zones. She explained that hospitals need particular care and protection, as their destruction affects millions who become deprived of health care.

Alaa Murabit, UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment and Economic Growth and a member of the SDG Advocates, stressed that good governance is necessary for achieving the SDGs and ensuring the prosperity and security of the people. She highlighted that the protection of health care facilities, workers and system should be considered by governments to be a priority rather than a cost. She called for addressing inequality in the current health system, which she said is built to serve the elite and not the great majority of people.

Judith Shamian, President, International Council of Nurses, said OECD countries will need 20 million health workers by 2030 and must ensure they are self-sufficient. She further recommended that lower-income countries to focus on designing and implementing the compensation, benefits, and safety packages necessary for retaining their health workforce. [Report of the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth: Working for health and growth: investing in the health workforce] [WHO Press Release on Report Launch] [Event Flyer] [IISD RS Sources] [IISD RS Story on Commission’s First Meeting]