Table 2 Key elements of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel

Establish ethical framework

Establishes ethical framework for international health worker recruitment based on voluntary principles

Balance rights

Balances the rights, obligations and expectations of source and destination countries and health workers

Strengthen health systems

High-income countries should support health systems strengthening through voluntary financial means, and provide technical assistance, training, technological and skill transfer and promote circular migration to create a net positive effect on low-income source countries

Support domestic development

Prioritizes the development of domestic health personnel and managing the mal-distribution of health workers between rural and urban areas

Facilitate information exchange

Calls for the creation of bilateral agreements, a national database of laws and regulations, designation of a national authority responsible for exchanging information with the WHO Secretariat and research partnerships at national, sub-national, and international levels

Develop regulatory framework

Supports capacity building for health information systems, continuous monitoring and evaluation of the health labour market and the development of a regulatory framework for health worker retention

Encourage compliance

Urges that the Code’s contents be publicized among all stakeholders involved in health worker migration and that governments only interact with recruitment agencies that operate in compliance with the Code

Enhance training

Recommends that training in source countries match the disease profile of such countries, encourages the twinning of health facilities, and demands that access to specialized training and technology be made a priority