title: Monitoring the implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the findings of the first round of monitoring of the global implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel ("the Code"), a voluntary code adopted in 2010 by all 193 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO).
  
  
  METHODS
  WHO requested that its Member States designate a national authority for facilitating information exchange on health personnel migration and the implementation of the Code. Each designated authority was then sent a cross-sectional survey with 15 questions on a range of topics pertaining to the 10 articles included in the Code.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A national authority was designated by 85 countries. Only 56 countries reported on the status of Code implementation. Of these, 37 had taken steps towards implementing the Code, primarily by engaging relevant stakeholders. In 90% of countries, migrant health professionals reportedly enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities as domestically trained health personnel. In the context of the Code, cooperation in the area of health workforce development goes beyond migration-related issues. An international comparative information base on health workforce mobility is needed but can only be developed through a collaborative, multi-partnered approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reporting on the implementation of the Code has been suboptimal in all but one WHO region. Greater collaboration among state and non-state actors is needed to raise awareness of the Code and reinforce its relevance as a potent framework for policy dialogue on ways to address the health workforce crisis.
authors.affiliation: Human Resources for Health, Health Systems Policies and Workforce, World Health Organization, avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Amani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siyam
authors.affiliation: Department of Country Focus, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zurn
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, Directorate of Health, Oslo, Norway .
authors.forename: Otto Christian
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Rø
authors.affiliation: Human Resources for Health, World Health Organization, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Gulin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gedik
authors.affiliation: Health Human Resources Development Bureau, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ronquillo
authors.affiliation: Policy and Network, Planning and Standards Division, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines .
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Joan Co
authors.affiliation: Promoting Decent Work Across Borders: A Project for Migrant Health Professionals and Skilled Workers, International Labour Organization, Philippines .
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaillancourt-Laflamme
authors.affiliation: Promoting Decent Work Across Borders: A Project for Migrant Health Professionals and Skilled Workers, International Labour Organization, Philippines .
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: dela Rosa
authors.affiliation: Regional Office for Europe, World Health Organization, Copenhagen, Denmark .
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perfilieva
authors.affiliation: Social Medicine Institute, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil .
authors.forename: Mario Roberto
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dal Poz
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005551:Foreign Professional Personnel; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014944:World Health Organization