WHO Outlines New Plan to Improve Care Workforce: From Better Wages to Training

The WHO Academy has introduced a new publication outlining policy options to help governments develop, manage and support care workers as an important part of the wider health workforce.

The growing number of older people and individuals living with disabilities or chronic health conditions is increasing the demand for care services worldwide, placing greater responsibility on workers who support people in their everyday lives. Many care workers provide essential assistance with personal needs, daily activities and well-being, but their contributions are frequently overlooked in national healthcare planning and workforce development. The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for stronger recognition, improved working conditions and better professional opportunities to ensure care workers receive the support needed to deliver reliable services.

The WHO Academy has introduced a new publication outlining policy options to help governments develop, manage and support care workers as an important part of the wider health workforce. Titled Development, Management and Support of Care Workers – Towards an Integrated Health and Care Workforce: Policy Options, the publication provides practical guidance for countries seeking to improve workforce planning and strengthen connections between healthcare and care services. Its recommendations address growing concerns about insufficient workforce recognition, limited career development opportunities and the need for better coordination between institutions responsible for health and social care.

Care services depend heavily on women and girls, including those providing unpaid assistance to family members and others who require regular support. Health and care services are often managed through separate government departments, policies and budgets, creating gaps that can leave care workers excluded from workforce strategies and professional development programmes. WHO believes that bringing these services into more coordinated planning could help countries build stronger, fairer and more sustainable systems capable of meeting increasing care needs.

WHO Identifies Gaps in Care Workforce Recognition and Planning

Care workers contribute directly to people's health, independence and quality of life, but their responsibilities are not always clearly defined within national workforce policies. This lack of recognition can make it difficult for governments to understand workforce requirements, develop appropriate training programmes and establish consistent employment standards across different care settings. WHO's new policy guidance encourages countries to consider care workers alongside other health professionals when planning workforce development, recruitment and long-term service delivery.

Dr Tomas Zapata, Director of the WHO Academy, explained that care workers make an essential contribution to individuals and communities, despite frequently being overlooked in workforce planning. He described the publication as a practical framework for helping governments strengthen the care workforce and develop it alongside the broader healthcare workforce. Stronger integration could also improve cooperation between professionals responsible for medical treatment and those providing ongoing assistance with everyday care needs.

The publication is intended for government officials, policymakers, employers, educators, regulators and workforce planners who influence how care services are organised and delivered. Its recommendations recognise that care workers operate in different environments, including public and private services, and face varying employment arrangements and professional expectations. By addressing these differences, WHO hopes to support more consistent workforce policies that respond to the needs of both care workers and the people who depend on their services.

Better Education, Fair Wages and Working Conditions Become Key Priorities

The WHO Academy's publication presents evidence-informed policy options across 20 thematic areas, covering the major stages of a care worker's professional journey. These areas include entering the workforce, receiving appropriate support throughout employment and managing transitions or exits from care-related occupations. The framework encourages countries to consider recruitment, professional development, workplace support and employment transitions as connected parts of workforce planning.

Two priorities receive particular attention in the publication: strengthening education and training opportunities and improving employment conditions, including wages. Access to high-quality education and continuous learning can help care workers develop practical skills, improve the quality of services and build clearer pathways for professional advancement. Better pay and supportive working environments are equally important for recognising the value of care work and encouraging people to remain in occupations that are essential to community well-being.

The publication also examines challenges linked to gender equality, migrant workers and differences between public and private employment arrangements. Women and girls play a substantial role in paid and unpaid care, making fair recognition and workforce support important considerations for gender equality and economic opportunity. WHO identifies gaps in available evidence, highlighting the need for stronger information to guide policies that reflect the varied circumstances of care workers across countries.

WHO Encourages Countries to Build a Stronger and More Sustainable Care Workforce

Increasing demand for long-term care means governments must consider how care workers can be better supported through coordinated health and care workforce policies. Strengthening professional development, improving employment conditions and recognising the contribution of care workers could help countries respond more effectively to population ageing and changing health needs. These improvements could also support more people-centred services by ensuring individuals requiring assistance receive care from workers with appropriate skills and institutional support.

Dr Zapata emphasised that investment in education, workplace conditions and professional support can help countries develop more equitable and sustainable health systems. Lifelong learning offers care workers opportunities to strengthen their abilities, advance professionally and collaborate more effectively with other health workers. Recognising care work as an essential component of healthcare planning can help institutions create stronger relationships between medical services and everyday support systems.

The new WHO Academy guidance provides countries with a framework for reviewing existing policies and identifying areas where workforce development requires greater attention. Governments can use the policy options to address gaps in training, recognition, employment standards and coordination between health and care services. As the need for care continues to expand worldwide, ensuring that care workers are properly trained, fairly compensated and professionally supported will be increasingly important for building reliable health systems.