Prime Highlights
- Small countries in the WHO European Region adopted the Riga Outcome Statement to address growing shortages of healthcare workers and strengthen health systems.
- Countries committed to improving workforce planning, staff retention, mental health support and safer working conditions for healthcare professionals.
Key Facts
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe estimates that the European Region could face a shortage of nearly one million health workers by 2030.
- The Riga Outcome Statement includes commitments to improve healthcare workforce governance, education, training, well-being and support for rural healthcare services.
Background
Health ministers and senior officials from small countries in the WHO European Region have agreed on a new plan to strengthen and sustain the health and care workforce, adopting the Riga Outcome Statement during a high-level meeting in Latvia in the first week of June.
The agreement comes as health systems across Europe face growing workforce shortages, rising healthcare demands and challenges in attracting and retaining doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. According to WHO estimates, the region could face a shortage of nearly one million health workers by 2030.
Under the new statement, participating countries committed to improving long-term workforce planning, strengthening retention efforts, supporting the mental health and well-being of health workers, promoting digital skills and creating safer working environments. The countries also pledged to improve education and training systems and strengthen the use of workforce data to better prepare for future healthcare needs.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, said that health workers are the foundation of every health system and must be valued, protected and supported. He noted that improving working conditions and addressing workforce retention will be critical to building stronger and more resilient healthcare systems.
The conference also deliberated on some of the issues faced by health professionals, such as overwork, stress, and violence at their places of work. According to surveys conducted by the WHO, the rates of depression and anxiety suffered by doctors and nurses are much higher than those experienced by the general populace.
It was noted that there was a need to provide tangible solutions to help health professionals cope with such stresses. Some other issues highlighted during the conference included ensuring access to health facilities in rural areas and preparing for the challenges of the future.
