The significant existing disproportion in the density of human resources makes the equity of human resources distribution a strategic issue for possible solutions of health problems. This can explain the importance of the human resources issue in the global health agenda and its priority for the health sector. The policy of recruitment of health workers by developed countries as well as a lack of clear policies to prevent brain drain by developing countries are contributing migration factors. Under the leadership of WHO, some international agencies have been developing and subsidizing human health resources policies. However the existing paradox between the interdependency and sovereignty of countries requires an ethical and strategic standpoint in order to strengthen nations in their commercial dealings. Therefore one of the challenges to global health is in grabbing the opportunities offered by GATS for international human health resource negotiations.
Equity; world distribution of human health resources; health workforce migration; international negotiation; GATS
