Safeguard Health Workers to Protect Patients, WHO Urges

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments and health care leaders to address persistent threats to the health and safety of health workers and patients. "The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "No country, hospital, or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. WHO's Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have safe working conditions, the training, the pay, and the respect they deserve." The pandemic has also highlighted the extent to which protecting health workers is key to ensuring a functioning health system and a functioning society.