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The World Health Professions Alliance speaks for more than 41 million health professionals worldwide, assembling essential knowledge and experience from the key health professions in more than 130 countries.

EB146 Agenda Item 7.1 on Follow-up to the HLM of the UNGA on health-related issues. Universal health coverage: moving together to build a healthier world

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Honourable chair, distinguished delegates,

I am speaking on behalf of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). This statement is supported by the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), representing over 31 million nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, dentists and physicians in over 130 countries.

Having a strong health workforce is key to achieving universal health coverage. We remind Member States of the key messages regarding addressing the predicted shortfall of health workers, which included the need to “Invest in health worker jobs for UHC and inclusive growth…to maximise the potential of the available workforce and invest in education, skills and jobs that deliver efficient health impact.

It is very important to raise awareness, understanding and support among stakeholders about the positive impact healthy and supportive environments have on the recruitment and retention of staff, patient outcomes and the health sector as a whole. In support of this endeavour, we are currently updating a toolkit fostering Positive Practice Environment.

The health care professionals are committed to improving the health of populations worldwide through working together and promoting effective interprofessional collaborative practice. We encourage Member States to work with health professionals to encourage and foster such collaboration to enable the workforce to work toward UHC together.

Finally, health professionals and regulators will gather to focus on key components that will help deliver UHC at the WHPA 6th World Health Professions Regulation Conference, on 16 May 2020 in Geneva. We invite you to to discuss with us the regulation as an enabler to deliver quality care and the role of continuing professional development.

Thank you for your attention.