Decent work for UHC: Investing in a resilient workforce in challenging contexts
Universal Health Coverage and health system resilience depend on a motivated, fairly compensated, and well-supported health workforce. In rural, conflict-affected, and other fragile settings, strengthening systems for emergency, critical, and operative care is especially urgent. Yet in these contexts, health workers, including nurses, midwives, and community health workers, often face unpaid or underpaid labor, unsafe or inadequate working conditions, and limited opportunities for career progression and leadership. These challenges are currently exacerbated by the profound shifts in health financing globally. This event will explore how sustainable financing, decent work standards, and community-centred approaches can address these gaps and ultimately strengthen health systems.
The discussion builds on the collective expertise of Cordaid, the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, and the G4 Alliance, with a focus on practical solutions from Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Objectives:
- Highlight the critical role of health workers in achieving UHC, particularly in fragile and rural settings
- Showcase innovative financing and retention models that prioritize decent work for all cadres of health workers
- Foster dialogue between policymakers, health workers, and civil society to identify actionable recommendations