US Government Health Worker Policy

Access to skilled health workers remains difficult or impossible for millions of people. President Obama’s Global Health Initiative recognizes this problem and includes expansion and appropriate deployment of the health workforce among its goals.

For the GHI to be effective and make a sustainable impact, the US Government should define a clear approach for achieving its health workforce aims. In doing so, the US Government could make optimal use of funds and help ensure that health workers are available to support the government’s contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Key elements of IntraHealth’s proposed strategy include:

• Setting a goal for increasing the health workforce
• Defining clear, measurable objectives
• Identifying a set of priority countries
• Articulating an evidence-based technical approach
• Allocating and tracking resources
• Assessing progress against key indicators
• Testing promising practices and encouraging adoption of best practices
• Creating an organizational structure that provides the necessary leadership, expertise, and coordination.

The GHI can be achieved only if health workers are present. The basic tenets of a health workforce strategy are clear and feasible. Making health workers available to communities in need will help ensure the GHI’s enduring legacy.

Related resources

Saving lives, ensuring a legacy: A health workforce strategy for the Global Health Initiative
US Global Health Initiative
Frontline Health Workers Coalition
Securing donor support for health workers
Multilateral donors and agencies

How to help

Get involved with IntraHealth
Ask your elected representative to support a health workforce strategy for the GHI.

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