002. June 2021

2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF HEALTH AND CARE WORKERS

The World Health Organisation has declared 2021 the International Year of Health and Care Workers.

With the theme “Protect. Invest. Together”, this campaign highlights the need to recognise and acknowledge the dedication of these workers to the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic beyond applause.

Protect the people who are protecting us.

It is not only a moral duty. It is also an effective strategy to achieve community protection and universal health coverage. Vaccinating health and care workers first is the smart thing to do, as is giving them the support they need to develop innovations and vaccines against COVID-19.

Investing in training and improving employment conditions for health and care workers.

It will enable governments to get value for money in terms of health, employment, economic opportunity and equity. Globally, 70% of health and social care workers are women, so investing in gender equality is essential.

Together we can achieve this, but it requires a shared vision of investing in people as the foundation of health for all.

Each of us in the global community has a role to play in ensuring that our health and care workers are supported, protected, motivated and equipped to deliver safe health care at all times, not just during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objectives

Vaccinate these professionals in the first 100 days of 2021 against COVID-19.

To honour those health workers who have lost their lives during the pandemic.

Obtain the commitment of Member States to protect and invest in them to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.

Engage the Member States in a health care compact to protect these workers’ rights and decent working conditions.

Rally political and social support for solidarity, advocacy and care for health and care workers.