CAPE TOWN, May 13 — South Africa‘s Department of Health hosted the third Group of 20 (G20) Health Working Group (HWG) meeting last week, as part of a series of G20 events taking place across the country this year. The two-day virtual meeting, which began on Thursday and concluded on Friday, focuses on the health and care workforce, which is considered an essential part of strong health systems. According to a statement by the health department, the meeting, under the theme “Accelerate Health Equity, Solidarity, and Universal Coverage,” discussed several topics, including increasing investment in education, employment, and skill development of health and care workers. In addition, speakers will address the issue of “promoting digital and technological innovations and productivity in the health and care workforce,” said the department. The meeting which also emphasized the need for “ensuring comprehensive care, protection, and decent work for health and care workers,” it added. The third meeting follows the second G20 HWG meeting held in March, where SouthAfrican Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi emphasized the need to reallocate national resources toward health, strengthen global health partnerships, and explore innovative financing mechanisms to address funding gaps. The G20 comprises 19 countries, the European Union, and, since 2023, the African Union. According to the statement, its members account for 73 percent of the world’s health professionals, covering 59 percent of the health workforce population worldwide. South Africa assumed the G20 residency on Dec. 1, 2024, with the term running until Nov. 30, 2025.
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