Global Health beyond the MDGs > Global Doctors Seminar

GLOBAL DOCTORS SEMINAR:

BEYOND THE MDGs - OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR HUMAN RESOURCER IN HEALTH

29 April 2011, University of Copenhagen, Alexandersalen, Bispetorvet 1-3, Copenhagen

Human Resources in Health are a limited resource in many areas in need. In the 2006 World Health Report, the WHO estimated a worldwide deficit of 2,4 million health workers, with 57 countries simply unable to meet the MDGs in time due to this factor. With the epidemiologic and demographic transition taking place, the demand for health services is likely to increase in the years to come. Hence, it is time for an international effort to not only recognize the challenges to achieving sustainable health worker solutions, but also to realize the opportunities and create the solutions necessary for a healthier tomorrow beyond the MDGs.

The objective of the seminar is to provide participants with an overview of existing knowledge in the area of Human Resources in Health and present successful examples of entrepreneurship concerning health worker solutions. In this way, we hope to inspire new initiatives for increasing the number and strengthening the skills of health workers. The seminar is part of the conference 'Global Health beyond the MDGs: Visions for public health priorities and the corresponding health research agenda up to 2030'.

PROGRAMME FRIDAY 29 APRIL 2011, 9.00-12.30

8.30-9.00 REGISTRATION, TEA, NETWORKING

9.00-9.15 Opening of seminar

9.15-10.00 Session 1: Human Resources in Health - an expensive and limited resource. Overview of the HRH status globally.

• Dr Manuel Dayrit, Director, Department of Human Resources for Health, WHO 

Are ultrasound machines and drugs all you need to run a health system? Or would something be missing - for instance, the hands to operate the machines and dispense the drugs? Dr. Dayrit will show why Human Resources are fundamental to health systems, and how the current lack of health workers represents a significant constraining factor in achieving the MDGs and combating future epidemiological trends. He will also present the WHO's recommendations for policies to strengthen HRH.

10.00-10.30 Coffee break 

10.30-11.30 Session 2: Entrepreneurship and HRH: Examples of innovative solutions for HRH within the areas of task shift, telemedicine and new educational efforts.

•  Scaling up the capacity of Human Resources for Health
• Prof Maria Eugenia Pinto, Federal University of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

• Task shifting - maintaining quality whilst improving availability of services
• Marc Mitchell, Harvard School of Public Health

Do treatment decisions always have to be taken by doctors? By developing protocols for diagnosis and monitoring in the form of decision trees available on inexpensive mobile phones, D-tree have managed to provide quality point-of-care diagnosis and treatment of patients receiving ARV, Children with fever (IMCI), diabetes care and maternal health. The case of D-tree.org will be presented with special emphasis on general MCH and specialized diabetes care.

• Unaddressed health concerns - who is to take care of neglected or emerging diseases?
• Markos Tesfaye, MD, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University

What do you do when you are a lone psychiatrist responsible for treating a population of 10 million people? Mental illness is highly prevalent in Africa, yet mental health remains among the most neglected health concerns on the continent. The number of African doctors who train as psychiatrists is negligible. As an alternative solution to these challenges, Dr. Tesfaye has created a mental health masters program for non-doctors based on the concept of "training of trainers".

11.30-12.15 Session 3: Panel discussion with participating speakers

12.15-12.30 Closing of seminar