November 2021
Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
I am speaking on behalf of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (also known as World Physiotherapy) and the World Health Professions Alliance, representing over 41 million dentists, pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and physiotherapists. We urge Member States to ensure that future processes on pandemic preparedness and response comprehensively protect and invest in the health workforce.
We commend the Working Group’s report for including the need to strengthen health systems through UHC and a stronger health workforce. However, under-investment and inaction in this area has resulted in a deterioration of working conditions, professional shortages and service disruptions.
The pandemic highlights that decent, safe and responsive working conditions are essential to continuously deliver better health outcomes, and overcome health and economic crises.
Members States and WHO must invest now and involve health professionals in the way forward.