Washington DC, 15 October 2025 (PAHO) – Representatives from nine countries of the Americas met in Panama to advance the development of a common mechanism to monitor progress in the implementation of the Health Workforce Policy 2030, approved by the Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 2023.
The meeting, organized by PAHO in a hybrid format from 14 to 15 October, was opened by Manuel Zambrano, Vice Minister of Health of Panama, together with PAHO representatives, who highlighted the regional commitment to strengthening the health workforce. Representatives from Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago participated in the event.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the capacities of human resources for health (HRH) managers from ministries of health and to advance the definition of a monitoring mechanism that will enable countries to assess the progress and challenges of the regional HRH agenda. This effort seeks to reinforce governance, strategic planning, and evidence-based and sustainable management of the health workforce across the Region.
“The development of a common monitoring mechanism will make it possible to support countries more effectively in implementing the Health Workforce Policy 2030, identifying achievements, challenges, and opportunities to continue strengthening the health workforce,” said Benjamín Puertas, Unit Chief of Human Resources for Health at PAHO.
Strengthening governance and health workforce planning
During the workshop, participants analyzed national policies and experiences in planning, regulation, interprofessional team formation, working conditions, and health workforce migration. Delegations from Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago shared their progress in developing national policies and plans aligned with the five strategic lines of action of the Health Workforce Policy 2030.
These lines include strengthening governance and regulatory frameworks, promoting decent working conditions, consolidating interprofessional health teams, developing competencies for emergency preparedness and response, and protecting the physical and mental well-being of health workers.
Towards a common monitoring mechanism
The Panama meeting marks the in-person phase of the process to develop the regional monitoring mechanism, which will continue with a virtual phase in November 2025. This next stage will involve additional countries through subregional meetings in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
The mechanism will enable the assessment of progress achieved by countries in implementing the Health Workforce Policy 2030 and support the preparation of progress reports scheduled for 2027 and 2031, in accordance with the resolution approved by PAHO’s Governing Bodies.
