APPG Inquiry launched to examine global health workforce migration

Every year, the world’s richest health systems gain billions in value from the recruitment of internationally educated health professionals. 

Doctors, nurses and midwives and other health professionals from lower-income countries (LMICs) sustain health services in the UK, US and beyond – but their absence can leave fragile health systems in these source countries struggling. 

The APPG on Global Health & Security, supported by Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET) and the Center for Global Development (CGD), has launched a new inquiry to examine the real impact of international recruitment and health workforce migration.  

The inquiry will also consider whether and in what ways, high-income countries should share responsibility for a fairer, more sustainable global health workforce. 

About the Inquiry 

The Co-Investment Inquiry: An honest account of the benefits and costs of international recruitment will examine the financial and practical benefits high-income countries – including the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – have gained from international recruitment and the impact this has had on lower- and middle-income countries. 

The Inquiry will consider whether these benefits create a moral and practical duty to invest in the LMICs source countries that supply health workers and what ‘proportionate co-investment’ could look like in practice – ensuring that the movement of health professionals delivers benefits for all. 

Inquiry hearings 

Three hearings will inform the findings ahead of a report launch at the Global Health Summit (16 -18 March 2026), ran by Global Health Partnerships: 

• Pillar 1: The Financial benefits   
• Pillar 2: Mechanisms for co-investment   
• Pillar 3: Defining “proportionate”    

Call for evidence 

The APPG on Global Health & Security is inviting written evidence from stakeholders across the health, policy, academic and development sectors. 

Contributors are invited to share research, data, case studies or lived experience on both the benefits and challenges of international recruitment and health workforce migration. 

The inquiry is particularly interested in: 

• The financial and non-financial benefits high-income countries (HICs), including the UK, have gained from the recruitment of internationally educated health workers and the resulting impact on LMIC source countries –  including effects on workforce availability and accessibility (including senior, experienced and specialised professionals), health service delivery and coverage, quality of  care, and health equity and outcomes. 
• Positive effects such as economic remittance flows, skills transfer and capacity development, diaspora engagement, knowledge exchange and circular migration. 
• What a “proportionate co-investment” model could look like and examples that already work. 

Deadline: 15 January 2026 

Submit to:
margaret.caffrey@globalhealthpartnerships.org
lorina.kagosha@globalhealthpartnerships.org
jessica.fraser@globalhealthpartnerships.org

Further information on submissions is available from the APPG website. 

Your insights will help shape a fairer, more sustainable global health workforce. 

About the APPG and partners 

The APPG on Global Health & Security brings together parliamentarians and partners from across the global health community to explore how the UK can strengthen health systems worldwide and promote equity in global health collaboration. 

This Inquiry is supported by Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET) and the Center for Global Development (CGD).