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Partnering to Build a Health Workforce for the Future: A Fireside Chat with Melissa Brotz and Dr. Vanessa Kerry

SpeakerS:

Melissa Brotz, President, Abbott Fund & Vice President, Global Marketing and External Affairs, Abbott
Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO and Co-Founder, Seed Global Health

With Principal Programming Sponsor

“Between now and 2030, we're looking to train another 100,000 healthcare workers towards that ultimate goal to close that gap who can be in service to the population, have farther reach, and be able to address some of these burdens of disease.” Dr. Vanessa Kerry
“Business has every reason to lead here. We know that investments in health lead to economic growth; we know that economic growth and healthier populations lead to more stable societies, and so that is definitely in our interests.” Melissa Brotz

Key takeaways:

  • Importance of public-private partnerships: Collaborations across sectors  are essential  to address health workforce challenges, Abbott and Seed Global Health have launched a partnership to train healthcare workers and improve maternal and child health in Malawi, aiming to increase the number of specialists like OBGYNs and pediatricians. 
  • Global shortage of healthcare workers: By 2030, there is a projected shortage of 10 million healthcare workers worldwide, worsening the current 3 billion people without access to health services within a one-hour walk.
  • Investing in health workers strengthens economies: Investments in health workers can yield returns of $2 to $4 for every dollar spent, with social returns as high as 9:1, strengthening societies.
  • Climate change exacerbates health challenges: Climate change is increasing disease burdens and making it harder for healthcare workers to perform their duties, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, facing issues like unreliable electricity, lack of clean water, and infrastructure damage. 
  • Reframing health expenditure as investment: There is a need to view health funding as an investment rather than a cost, as inadequate investment leads to higher long-term costs, including increased disease burdens and lost productivity.
  • Scaling up health workforce training: Seed Global Health aims to train 100,000 healthcare workers by 2030 to meet growing needs, enhancing the quality of care and saving lives. 
  • Health as a driver of political stability and security: Investing in health  fosters economic growth, job creation, and gender equity, contributing to political stability and more resilient societies. 

Action items:

  • Increase investment in health workforce development: Advocate for governments and private sectors to allocate more funding towards training healthcare workers, promoting policies that frame it as a strategic investment.
  • Strengthen public-private partnerships: Promote cross sector collaborations, like the successful Abbott and Seed partnership, to leverage resources and expertise in health workforce development. 
  • Integrate climate resilience into health systems: Develop strategies to protect healthcare infrastructure and workers from the impacts of climate change, ensuring reliable access to essential services. 
  • Scale up training programs: Support initiatives and educational programs aiming to train a significant number of healthcare workers, particularly in underserved regions. 
  • Advocate for health equity and reduce inequities: Implement policies to address health disparities and ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all populations..
  • Promote health as a catalyst for economic growth: Highlight the role of a robust health workforce in driving economic development and stability, by encouraging investment in health as a means to create jobs, stimulate GDP growth, and enhance gender equity. 
  • Recognize health as integral to political stability: Acknowledge that investing in health contributes to political stability and security, by supporting measures that strengthen health institutions to foster trust and reduce instability. 

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