First meeting of the ad hoc working group on human resources for health in small countries in the WHO European Region: Venice, Italy, 9–10 December 2019

Small countries in the WHO European Region face the same full range of challenges related to human resources for health (HRH) as any other Member State in the Region. Their specific and unique characteristics (size, context and dynamics), however, need to be taken into account in developing effective policy responses to HRH challenges and meeting the broader health-policy objectives related to universal health coverage (UHC).

The need to make a detailed assessment of the HRH challenges relevant to, and potential solutions applicable in, small countries provided the impetus for the European Office for Investment for Health and Development and the Division of Health Systems and Public Health to jointly organize a technical meeting (Expert meeting on HRH in small countries in the WHO European Region) in Venice, Italy, on 18–19 December 2018. The aim of this meeting was to enable experts from small countries in the Region to share experiences, discuss enablers and identify ways of resolving sustainable individual and collective solutions to the challenges of HRH. Five priority areas of focus were identified and agreed upon.