Countries of the Americas move toward a joint approach to manage health workforce migration amid growing shortages – PAHO/WHO
Brasília, July 25, 2025 (PAHO) – Representatives of the Ministries of Health in the Americas reached consensus on key elements for a future route to the ethical and sustainable management of the migration of health professionals, in response to the growing shortage of health workers in the region. These discussions took place during the International Forum on Human Resources for Health (HRH) in the Americas, held from July 23 to 25 in Brasilia, Brazil, and co -organized by the Ministry of Health of Brazil and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The migration of doctors, nurses and other health professionals is severely affecting low and medium -sized countries, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this situation, exposing critical gaps in staff, especially in rural and unattended areas. It is estimated that by 2030, Latin America and the Caribbean will face a shortage of between 600,000 and 2 million health professionals.
«The growing migration of health professionals exerts additional pressure on health systems, worsening structural gaps and difficult working conditions,» said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of Paho, during the opening session of the forum. «It is crucial to strengthen human resources for health policies and seek joint solutions between countries of origin and destination,» he emphasized.
A growing challenge
Low wages, limited opportunities for professional development and difficult working conditions are among the main reasons why medical care personnel leave their countries. In some cases, insecurity and political instability also promote migration. The possibility of improving living conditions and accessing new opportunities remains a strong incentive, particularly among younger professionals. Nurses, most of whom are women, make a 20% gender salary gap and have less access to leadership positions.
In response to this reality, countries agreed to work towards a joint roadmap that is based on the orientation established in 2024. It includes the promotion of commitments between countries for ethical recruitment and the fair treatment of migrant health workers, in line with the GLOD Practice Code of WHO. The roadmap also aims to improve the planning of the health workforce, strengthen health systems through primary health care and talent retention, and promote data collection on mobility and migration, with the support of PAHO and who.
According to Brazil Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandre Padilha, the forum is carried out at a strategic moment, when rethinking childbirth, education and health policies become increasingly urgent.
«The scarcity and unequal distribution of health professionals remain concrete challenges in many of our countries, and international migration, when it is not administered ethically and in a coordinated manner, they can exacerbate inequalities,» said the minister.
«Brazil has tried to address these problems through policies that train, support and value workers within the Unified Health System (SUS), he added, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the principles of the WHO code.
Towards resistant health systems
The Forum also included a regional consultation on the third review of the WHO Global Practice Code about the international recruitment of health personnel, adopted in 2010. Countries supported recommendations and shared experiences to improve international cooperation.
Paho reaffirmed his commitment to support countries in planning, training and retention of health personnel, with an approach to equity.
The forum in Brasília gathered official delegations of the Ministries of Health of Eighteen countries of America, representatives of European countries, international organizations, United Nations Agencies, Academic Institutions and Professional Health Organizations. Participants reaffirmed their support for coordinated action and regional and international cooperation to address the challenges facing the health workforce in the region.
Although the road map is still under development, countries expressed a shared commitment to protect workers’ rights, improve working conditions and promote growth opportunities to retain talent, while guaranteeing ethical and sustainable migration.
