About

The World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) speaks for more than 41 million health care professionals worldwide, and is the only alliance which convenes knowledge and experience from the key health care professions in more than 130 countries.

The WHPA was formed in 1999 and now brings together the global organizations representing the world’s dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and physicians.

We work to facilitate collaboration among the health professions and major stakeholders such as governments and international organizations, including the World Health Organization. By working in collaboration, instead of along parallel tracks, patients and health care systems benefit.

Together, the global organizations in the WHPA include more than 600 national member organizations, making us the key point of global access to health care professionals within the five disciplines.

Find out about the WHPA's Strategy 2024-2027

Mission

WHPA is an alliance representing the world’s health professions that

• promotes and practises interprofessional collaboration through leadership, advocacy and policy development
• champions collaborative efforts, amplifies the work of its members and advocates for the pivotal role of health professions in strengthening global health systems 
• presents a united voice for the health professions
• collaborates with other organisations and partners who share common goals, values and priorities to advance the health professions and universal health coverage

How we work

The WHPA works to develop and strengthen health professionals’ contribution to the health of the patients and communities they serve.
 

We focus strongly on international advocacy, particularly with the World Health Organization, and on communication and outreach. 
 

We also support education, leadership and research initiatives, providing a unique perspective and insights from the WHPA’s combined knowledge and experience from the major health professions.

Member organisations

FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) serves as the principal representative body for more than one million dentists worldwide with membership comprising of some 200 national dental associations in about 130 countries.

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national organisations representing more than four million pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmaceutical educators around the world.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations, representing the more than 27 million nurses worldwide.

World Physiotherapy is the global body for 128 physiotherapy member organisations, representing more than 685,000 physiotherapists.

The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organisation representing more than nine million physicians with its membership of 115 national medical associations.