GHTM | Intituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (HMT NOVA) is pleased to announce the mid-term conference of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) Health and Care Workforce Section, titled “Advancing resilience, sustainability and equity in health and care workforce systems”.
Taking place from 22 to 24 April 2026 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, this high-level international meeting will bring together leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners and institutional partners to address one of the most pressing challenges facing health systems worldwide: ensuring a resilient, sustainable and equitable health and care workforce.
Among the organizers of this important international event is the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Workforce Policy and Planning, hosted by the IHMT NOVA and coordinated by Tiago Correia (PPS-GHTM Research Group).
A timely and strategic gathering
Health workforce systems worldwide are under increasing pressure due to shortages, demographic changes, migration patterns, the digital transformation of services, and the growing disparity between population needs and service capacity.
Against this backdrop, the conference offers a unique opportunity to share cutting-edge evidence, innovative policy solutions and practical experiences from across Europe and beyond.
By fostering dialogue between the worlds of science, policy and practice, the conference aims to generate actionable strategies that will strengthen workforce governance, improve working conditions and enhance system performance while promoting equity and sustainability.
A dynamic scientific programme
The scientific programme will be structured around three main thematic tracks:
- Workforce sustainability, wellbeing and equity — including mental health, inclusion and retention
- Skills, digitalisation and transformation of work — covering education, AI and new care models
- Governance, mobility and system-level policy responses — focusing on regulation, migration and workforce planning
These themes are designed to stimulate interdisciplinary exchange and cross-country learning, positioning the conference as a catalyst for forward-looking workforce policy and research.
Join the conversation shaping the future of health systems
This conference marks a key moment for the European public health community and reinforces GHTM’s international leadership in health workforce research and policy. With strong institutional partnerships and global participation expected, it promises to be a vibrant forum for collaboration, knowledge exchange and impact.
Abstract submission is open until 1 March, with opportunities for both oral and poster presentations. For further information and registration details, participants are invited to consult the official conference webpage.