The global conference entitled 'A call to action: Ensuring global human resources for health', held at Geneva on March 22 and 23, 2007, emphasised the role of hospitals and other providers in solving shortages of doctors and nurses and pharmacists.

The conference was collaboration among Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET), International Hospital Federation (IHF), American Hospital Association, World Health Organization, World Medical Association, International Council of Nurses, Global Health Workforce Alliance, and many other organizations.

The conference has brought together a broad spectrum of people representing health care disciplines and organizations that are both experiencing, and contributing to, the global shortage of health care workers. With a multidisciplinary focus and convening of global stakeholders, this conference has stimulated a discussion and helped to identify the evidence-based action steps needed to build, retain, and sustain a workforce.

The HRET has received a generous grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support for participants from developing countries, as well as conference planning and staffing.

Professor A N Nagappa, Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal University, Manipal, attended and presented a poster emphasizing on health education being most competitive and cost-effective health care human resource development. His poster represented the Manipal Education System as a role model for global human health care development. He headed a group discussion, in which the group came out with recommendation of training allied health care professionals together would lead to better understanding and develop appreciation for allied health care professional among them selves.

The conference came out with identification of a priority action and research agenda in the areas for creation of a global multi-stakeholder network to stimulate action and bridge the gap between current knowledge, hospitals/health systems research and policymaking, formation of between nation work groups and development of summary report on interdisciplinary best practice initiatives