Statement made at the 79th World Health Assembly on 23 May 2026
Agenda item 12.8: Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel
I am speaking for the International Pharmaceutical Federation, member of the World Health Professions Alliance, representing 47 million dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physicians and physiotherapists.
We commend the Executive Board’s decision to support the EAG’s report, fully endorse its recommendations to strengthen the code, and suggest prioritisation of resources for it.
However, we are concerned that this will not be enough to stem the growing tide of active recruitment and the harm being done to essential health services in under-resourced regions.
We urge member states to require, rather than encourage, high-income countries to make targeted co-investments in the health workforce and health systems in source countries.