WHO SEARO PSI Statement at WHO-SEARO Calls for Decent Work for Primary Health Care Workers
At the 78th Session of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee in Colombo, PSI Asia Pacific Executive Committee member Samudra Gunawardana delivered a joint statement on behalf of PSI and the UN University International Institute of Global Health (UNU-IIGH), urging governments to strengthen primary health care (PHC) systems by ensuring decent work and fair conditions for frontline health workers.
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Jyotsna Singh
During the annual meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Organisation (WHO-SEARO) held this week in Colombo, Sri Lanka, PSI and UNU-IIGH submitted a joint statement. The statement—delivered by Samudra Gunawardena, representing PSI affiliate Public Services United Nurses’ Union (PSUNU) and a member of PSI’s Asia Pacific Regional Executive Committee (APREC)—was presented under the agenda item reviewing progress on the Delhi Declaration on Strengthening Primary Health Care as a Key Element Towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage.
The statement highlighted that universal health coverage cannot be achieved without recognising and investing in the people who make health systems work — the Primary Health Care (PHC) workforce. It urged member states to prioritise the rights, safety, and working conditions of PHC workers, including ensuring fair wages, job security, and access to social protection. It reaffirmed PSI’s long-standing position that decent work is the foundation of resilient health systems and that governments must integrate labour rights into their health policy frameworks to deliver equitable, quality care for all.
Read the whole statement here.