Event highlights
On 15–16 September 2026, WHO/Europe brought together a group of policy-makers, experts and representatives from the 5 Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) in Brussels, Belgium, for a regional policy dialogue on health workforce retention and supporting their mental health and well-being.
The event, part of the European Union-funded project Support for Health Resilience in the Eastern Partnership, focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing health systems today: ensuring that health and care workers are supported in their mental health and well-being, can thrive in their working environments, remain in the profession and continue delivering quality care to their communities.
Advancing health workforce retention through regional learning and policy exchange
Participants exchanged experiences and lessons learned on retaining health workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Discussions explored policies that can strengthen ways to attract and retain health workers, such as incentives, education and training pathways, professional support mechanisms, and the use of digital technologies to improve access and working conditions.
“This event is extremely valuable for Ukraine, as it gives us an opportunity to present our own experience and hear the views of our colleagues and policy-makers from other countries,” said Olena Nyko, Director General of the Centre of Education Quality at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. “For us, the key is not to import ready-made solutions; what matters to us is developing solutions together with our partners that are relevant to the Ukrainian context. That is where the value of today’s dialogue lies.”
Putting health worker well-being at the centre of retention policies
The meeting also highlighted the importance of protecting the mental health and well-being of doctors and nurses. Participants reviewed findings from the Mental Health of Nurses and Doctors survey and discussed practical approaches to reducing stress, preventing burnout and creating supportive working environments. Speakers and panellists emphasized that promoting supportive and enabling working environments for health workers is key to sustaining their retention in health-care systems.
“Doctors, nurses and other health workers often work under significant pressure. This can affect their mental health, well-being and their ability to stay in the profession,” said Vadim Aftene, expert in mental health reform and human resources for health, Republic of Moldova. “This is why we need to take care of those who take care of others. This dialogue gives us an opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by health workers. Mental health and well-being should be an important part of health workforce policies.”
More about the Health Resilience in the Eastern Partnership project
The Health Resilience in the Eastern Partnership project is a multiyear partnership funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood.
The project focuses on 3 core priorities:
- strengthening health workforce capacities and resilience;
- enhancing systems to improve access to mental health services, and building capacity for mental health professionals; and
- encouraging collaboration with the arts and culture sectors.