Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
THE World Health Organisation has renewed calls for the implementation of a global code to guide the ethical recruitment of health workers, a move expected to help countries like Zimbabwe better manage migration, while safeguarding their health systems.
Speaking at the ongoing United Kingdom-Global Health Summit 2026, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said fair and mutually beneficial health worker mobility remained one of the defining issues in global health.
The call was anchored on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, a voluntary framework adopted by member states to promote ethical recruitment, protect countries facing critical health workforce shortages, and ensure fair treatment of migrant health workers.
The code also encourages destination countries to support source nations through investments in training, retention and health system strengthening.
“In 2023, the WHO convened the 5th Global Forum on Human Resources for Health to bring together policymakers from around the world to focus on this issue.
“At that meeting, a suggestion emerged for the high-income countries that had the largest destination markets for migrant workers to engage in a policy dialogue on additional actions to implement the code,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit during a UK-Zimbabwe Health Sector reception and engagement forum with Zimbabwean health professionals in the diaspora held at the Embassy of Zimbabwe in London, Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Zimbabwe was intensifying engagement with its health professionals abroad as part of efforts to transform the sector under the forthcoming National Health Strategy (2026-2030).
“This visit is part of Government’s effort to engage Zimbabweans wherever they are, to listen to ideas, understand perspectives, and strengthen partnerships that contribute to national development. Leaving no place and no one behind. Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently undergoing an important phase of transformation. As we move toward the implementation of the NDS 2 and with it the National Health Strategy 2026-2030, our goal is to build a modern, resilient, and people-centred health system that supports Zimbabwe’s broader vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
The engagements, held under the theme; “The Strategic Direction of Health in Zimbabwe,” brought together senior Government officials, legislators, UK Government representatives, global health partners and Zimbabwean professionals working in the United Kingdom.
