The International Course on Governance and Strategic Planning of the Health Workforce is taking place online from 8 September to 7 November 2025. This initiative is promoted under the Joint Action HEROES (HEalth woRkfOrce to meet health challEngeS), funded by the European programme EU4H-PJG. The course is organised by the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of NOVA University Lisbon (IHMT NOVA), in partnership with the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS), and is coordinated by Isabel Craveiro, IHMT NOVA Professor and GHTM Researcher, with organisational support from Réka Cane, Matilde Pacheco and Danielle Cosac.
Comprising five modules, this course combines different peer learning methodologies, such as group work, simulations, contributions from national and international experts, and case studies, providing a comprehensive and practical teaching approach. Through this training, participants are expected to be better prepared to actively participate in the definition and implementation of public health policies, as well as to carry out data analyses that support strategic planning for the health workforce.
The involvement of IHMT NOVA and GHTM Research Centre is fundamental, bringing the institution’s experience in research and health training to support planning, methodology development, professional training and the sharing of good practices, reinforcing the quality and impact of the project at national and European level.
Joint Action HEROES brings together 19 countries and 51 partner organisations. In Portugal, ACSS is the Competent Authority participating in Joint Action and IHMT NOVA is the Affiliated Entity. This is a joint European action that aims to strengthen human resource planning capacity in health, providing countries with data, information and tools (such as systems, models and instruments) to support long-term strategic decisions on health workforce planning, from training to recruitment and retention, ensuring accessible, sustainable and resilient health services.
- Data sources and analysis on health human resources (HHR) supply and demand
- Forecasting tools and planning methodologies to respond to future HHR challenges
- Development and strengthening of skills and capacities for effective management of HHR planning systems at national and regional levels
- Stakeholder engagement for successful and sustainable HHR governance
Senior managers and employees of ACSS participate in this course, as well as representatives from other entities within the Ministry of Health. These include the Executive Directorate of the National Health Service (DE-SNS), various Local Health Units (ULS) and the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO), whose experience and expertise contribute decisively to the reflection and sharing of good practices in the field of governance and strategic planning of the health workforce.
