assessment of the Global Health Workforce
28 March 2006
The World Health Organisation's annual World Health Report is traditionally
released on World Health Day, 7 April. The 2006 report focuses on the key issue
of human resources for healthcare and pins the global shortage at more than
four million doctors, midwives, nurses and support workers.
In the build-up to the release of the report, a media conference will be
held in Johannesburg on 4 April by WHO Assistant Director-General: Evidence and
Information for Policy, Dr Tim Evans.
Dr Evans has been centrally involved in the preparation of the report and
will outline some of its key features. As with previous reports, the 2006
document, working together for health, concludes with a series of
recommendations that are likely to influence human resource strategies in
health systems across the world in years to come.
The release of the report by WHO Director-General Dr Lee Jong-wook on 7
April will take place in Lusaka, Zambia.
The shortage of health workers in South Africa and Zambia, as in many
developing nations, is made more acute by migration to wealthier countries.
Global commemorations of World Health Day will be a salute to health workers
who relieve suffering and save lives often in extremely difficult
conditions.
Details of the events
Johannesburg media conference
Date: 4 April 2006
Time: 11h00 to 12h30
Venue: Sides Restaurant, Ten Bompas, 10 Bompas Road, Craighall
Johannesburg
Participants: WHO Assistant D-G Dr Tim Evans
Lusaka media briefing on World Health Report 2006
Date: 6 April 2006
Time: 10h30 to 12h00
Venue: Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka
Participants: WHO D-G Dr Lee Jong-wook, Zambian Minister of Health, Sylvia
Masebo and WHO Assistant D-G Dr Tim Evans
This will be followed by a tour of University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka,
between 14h30 and 16h00, with the Minister of Health hosting Dr Lee and Dr
Evans.
Lusaka celebration of World Health Day and launch of World Health
Report
Date: 7 April 2006
Time: 10h00 to 12h00
Venue: Molongushi Conference Centre, Lusaka
Participants: WHO D-G Dr Lee Jong-wook and Zambian President Patrick Levy
Mwanawasa
London World Health Day celebration and media conference
Time: 9h30 to 12h00
Date: 7 April 2006
Main Lecture Theatre, Royal College of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St London W1
Media conference: 12h00 - 13h00
Lower Atrium Lecture Theatre, Royal College of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St London
W1
Participants: WHO Assistant D-G Joy Phumaphi, British MP Rosie Winterton, WHO
Regional Director for Europe Dr Marc Danzon and Mary Robinson, president of
Realising Rights: Ethical Globalisation Initiative
For information on the Johannesburg and Lusaka media and public events
contact:
Xu Baert, WHO Geneva +41 79 286 0817
For information on the Johannesburg media briefing only contact:
Jo-Anne Collinge
Tel: (011) 772 0000
Cell: 082 787 0202
Priya Maharaj
Tel: (0110 772 1000
Cell: 082 921 6442
Issued by: Department of Health
28 March 2006
SAPA
