Webinar: why and how civil society can contribute to 5th reporting round WHO Code of Practice

The 5th round of reporting on the implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel has kicked off. Countries but also civil society and other independent stakeholders are invited to share reports on progress of Code implementation. The WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (or ‘WHO Global Code of Practice’, the ‘Code’) was adopted in 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly. The Code seeks to strengthen the understanding and ethical management of international health personnel recruitment and migration through strengthening data, information, and international cooperation.  

On 15 May, the Medicus Mundi International Network (MMI), Public Services International (PSI) and Wemos will organize a technical webinar on why and how civil society organizations can contribute to this 5th reporting round.

As civil society “friends of the Code”, the organizers of this webinar are keen to see the Code further developing into a strong, relevant and effective instrument. We therefore call on member states and civil society organizations alike to provide input and evidence needed to improve the Code and its implementation. The 2024 reporting instrument for Member States (the National Reporting Instrument / NRI) has been published on 30 March 2024. The  Independent Stakeholder Reporting instrument (ISR) was published on 12 April 2024. The deadline for submitting reports is 31 July 2024.

Date: Wed 15 May, 2024
Time: 15:00-16:00 (CEST)
Location: Zoom (register via the button below)

Programme

Welcome and introduction

• Corinne Hinlopen (moderator) (Wemos)
• Agya Mahat (World Health Organization)

Setting the scene: What’s the problem, and why to contribute to the reporting? 
Speakers:

• Itai Rusike (Community Working Group on Health, Zimbabwe) – on challenges related to the out-migration of health workers for the health systems and the people
  
• Martin Leschhorn (Medicus Mundi Switzerland) – on challenges related to the recruitment of foreign health and care personnel in Switzerland (regulation, protection of workers, policy implications)
• Jillian Roque, Public Services Labour Independent Confederation (PSLINK), trade union affiliate of Public Services International – on experiences of migrating healthcare workers

How to contribute to the 5th Round of WHO Code Reporting

• Agya Mahat (WHO) – the Global Code of Practice and the periodic reporting on its progress – introducing the civil society reporting instrument, and general call for engagement
• Thomas Schwarz (MMI) – how to do it, concretely (guiding through the instrument)

Q&A
Corinne Hinlopen (Wemos)

Closing & World Health Assembly policy debate/side event
Genevieve Gencianos (Public Services International)

World Health Assembly side event on 30 May

Related to this webinar, we will continue the discussion and organize an in-person policy debate side event at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on 30 May. Join us there for an in-depth discussion on the WHO Global Code of Practice and what it needs to become an effective instrument that promotes the rights of the health and care workforce. More information and registration here.

More information

See also the last webinar from 2021 on the 4th round of WHO Code reporting.

Photo: sturti from Getty Images Signature on Canva