Bali, 2 November 2026 - The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources for Health (AAAH), is hosting the 14th AAAH Conference in Bali from November 2–5, 2026. Bringing together a network from 22 member countries, the conference aims to strengthen regional cooperation to address shortages and the inequitable distribution of the health workforce by focusing on enhanced leadership and governance, transformative education, improved well-being, and digital transformation.
Centered on the theme “Building the Future Health Workforce: Connecting Governance, Education, and Digital Transformation for a Sustainable Health System,” the conference serves as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience among approximately 200 participants, including policymakers, educators, health professionals, and development partners.
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus emphasized that investment in human resources for health must be a priority for every nation. He noted that a well-trained, skilled, and dedicated health workforce is the fundamental pillar for delivering high-quality healthcare services.
“We need stronger governance, better health education, and digital transformation. We must also bolster regional cooperation, share knowledge, and learn from one another’s experiences,” said Deputy Minister Octavianus in a video message on Monday (2/11).
He expressed his hope that the conference would yield practical ideas and concrete commitments toward building the future health workforce. He added that Indonesia stands ready to strengthen collaboration with countries in the region to address the various challenges surrounding the development of human resources for health.
Echoing this sentiment, AAAH Chair Anna Kurniati—who also serves as the Secretary of the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices—stated that the current health workforce faces increasingly complex challenges. These include an aging population, a high burden of non-communicable diseases, the emergence of new infectious diseases, the impacts of climate change, and global inequalities. Globally, the shortage of health workers is projected to reach approximately 10 million by 2030, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“Let us make the most of these four days, and let us not limit our connections to this conference alone. We must follow up on our discussions and recommendations with concrete action to build a future health workforce that is competent, resilient, equitable, and sustainable,” said Anna.
Established in 2005 with 10 member countries, the AAAH has since grown into a network spanning 22 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. The alliance collaborates with governments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to promote policies, advance knowledge, and strengthen the capacity of the health workforce.
The conference focuses on three interconnected pillars. The first pillar concerns leadership and governance, including the strengthening of policy planning and implementation that engages all sectors of government and society. The second pillar covers quality education and the well-being of health workers—both during their training and throughout their professional careers. The third pillar focuses on digital transformation, including the responsible, inclusive, and equitable use of telemedicine and electronic medical records.
WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, reminded participants that at the heart of every health service lies an essential bond of trust between health workers and patients. He emphasized the importance of protecting and supporting health professionals, ensuring decent working conditions, career development, leadership opportunities, and overall well-being.
“I was once a healthcare professional, as a doctor and surgeon, and I fully understand what it means when a mother brings her sick child to you, with the simple hope that you will do your absolute best. She places her trust in you, and we must never betray that trust—because every patient, every mother and every child deserves the very best,” said Dr Piukala.
For Indonesia, the equitable distribution of healthcare workers remains a major challenge. According to data from the Ministry of Health, approximately 37% of community health centers (puskesmas) lack a full complement of the nine priority categories of healthcare personnel. Meanwhile, about 41% of regional public hospitals at the regency/city level have yet to meet the qualification requirements for the seven core medical specialties.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health is utilizing the Health Human Resources Information System to map the distribution of healthcare workers and project future workforce needs. This initiative prioritizes regions that continue to face limited access and a shortage of healthcare personnel, including Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku.
Through this conference, the AAAH aims to generate policy recommendations to strengthen health workforce planning, enhance the safety and well-being of health workers, and expand the adoption of digital innovations. The outcomes of the conference are intended to serve as a strategic reference for member states in building resilient and sustainable health systems, while ensuring the availability of safe and high-quality healthcare services for the entire population.