Rockefeller and HRH - Interview with Dr Ariel Pablos-Méndez at the Kampala Forum

On day four of the First Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, we spoke to Dr Ariel Pablos-Méndes of the Rockefeller foundation (www.rockfound.org). You are actually attending two meetings in Kampala this week. What is the other meeting you are attending and how does it tie into the GHWA Global Forum?
"The Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation held its periodic meeting in Kampala to review strategic directions in our work. The meeting was not tied to the GHWA Forum but it was a fortunate coincidence."
What relationship does Rockefeller Foundation have with GHWA?
"The Rockefeller Foundation supported the Joint Learning Initiative on Human Resources for Health that culminated in its pivotal report in 2004. This exercise helped set the stage for the creation of GHWA."
As consensus turns to implementation and action following this First Global Forum, will Rockefeller become more involved in working with GHWA?
"The Foundation is very much interested in the global challenge of health systems. We are exploring new capacity building efforts, eHealth and the role of the private sector in health. In this context, we are supporting a new task force on private sector under the GHWA umbrella."
What do you see as the important next steps for GHWA?
"Implementation to scale with sustainable financing is the key challenge. The answers must fit country conditions and require great creativity globally."
Do you feel there are any voices not being represented or which are under-represented in the GHWA forum?
"Private universities and private employers are usually absent, even though the private sector accounts for 6o to 80% of the financing or provision of health services in developing countries."
How will Rockefeller Foundation play its part in the attempt to resolve the Health Workforce Crisis?
"As noted above, we are exploring ways to foster new competencies and capabilities for health systems (of which HRH are one key component); we also believe eHealth holds much promise to improve access, affordability and quality of health services particularly in areas with few HRH."
One of the most prominent and difficult issues being discussed at the Forum is that of health workforce migration. What do you think is the best route for addressing this complex issue? Is this an area where WHO can take the lead?
"The economic gradients for migration will be hard to address. Creating local cadres of allied health professionals and creative incentives might help. Clearly importing countries must support developing countries address this challenge."