WHO Launches “Treat, Train, Retain” to Confront HIV-Related Health Worker Shortages
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration, announced the launch of a coordinated global plan called "Treat, Train, Retain," to address the severe shortage of HIV-related health workers, particularly in developing nations.
The "Treat, Train, Retain" plan will be implemented under the umbrella of the Global Health Workforce Alliance. "The program draws on the growing body of evidence and experience of what works in improving the performance of the health workforce," said Dr Francis Omaswa, Executive Director of the Global Health Workforce Alliance. "It will accelerate the adoption of best practices on critical issues like the increased roles and responsibilities of community health workers in combating HIV/AIDS and promoting better health at household and community level." "Treat, Train, Retain" will focus on those countries most severely affected by HIV/AIDS, and incorporates a menu of options that countries can adapt to their specific needs.
The treat component of the plan represents a full package of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care services that should be made available to health workers on a priority basis and tailored specifically to their needs. The train aspect involves strategies for countries to expand the numbers of new health workers and maximize the efficiency of the existing workforce. Retain relates to a set of interventions to help ensure that countries are able to keep existing workers employed in the health system.
Modified from WHO Press Release.
Read the full announcement on the WHO website.
WHO announced the program launch at the XVI International AIDS Conference. To see the video or listen to the podcast of the session, visit the Kaisernetwork conference webpage.
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