Living Goods at UNGA79: Building Health Workforce Resilience

We were honored to participate in the insightful webinar “Building Health Workforce Resilience: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Climate and Health Crises”, featuring our very own Thomas Opiyo Onyango, Country Director of Living Goods Kenya.

The session explored the critical role of health workers, especially community health workers (CHWs), as they tackle intersecting challenges like climate change, non-communicable diseases, and pandemics within primary care settings. The discussions focused on sustainable, locally led solutions that strengthen frontline health systems, equipping health workers to meet day-to-day needs and respond effectively to crises.

Distinguished speakers including Hon. Dr. Robert Kargougou, Minister of Health, Burkina Faso, Hon. Minister Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister for Health, South Sudan, Loyce P., Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, United States, Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, Undersecretary of Health, Philippines, and Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, gave keynote remarks emphasizing the importance of investment in health workforce and sharing successes and investments from their countries and organizations.

On a panel discussion moderated by Rachel Hoy Deussom, Health Practice Senior Director at Chemoics, speakers shared experiences, challenges and solutions from their own organizations. The panel included Alice Lin Fabiano, Global Head, Social Impact & Partnerships, Global Health Equity, Johnson & Johnson, our own Erin Stieber, Chief Programs Strategy Officer at Smile Train, Thomas Opiyo, Country Director, Living Goods Kenya, and Dr. Mariia Kholostenko, Medical Coordinator, Project HOPE Ukraine.

Voices from the forum:

• Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, called for prioritizing CHWs, stating: “If there is one group to prioritize among all frontline health workers, it’s frontline CHWs.”
• Thomas Onyango emphasized the role of CHWs as “frontline heroes” and shared how Living Goods is helping counties co-finance and digitize health systems, improving care delivery. “As climate change fuels crises, CHWs are there, living alongside vulnerable mothers and children… they are the trusted lifeline.”
• Vanessa Kerry from Seed Global Health stressed: “Climate change impacting health isn’t a new idea. It’s just accelerating existing problems we’ve failed to solve.”

During the panel discussion moderated by Rachel Hoy Deussom from Chemonics, participants shared innovative approaches and the importance of political will to redirect resources and financing toward health workers and health systems.

Key takeaways:

1. Empower frontline health workers to strengthen communities and enhance care.
2. Prioritize mental health support for healthcare workers: Dr. Mariia Kholostenko from Project HOPE highlights that it’s crucial to support healthcare workers’ mental health, especially in conflict zones.
3. Train and equip local health workers with innovative tools: Erin Stieber from Smile Train spoke about the importance of training healthcare workers and leveraging innovative solutions like solar-powered surgical settings.
4. Build a diverse, culturally competent workforce: Alice Lin Fabiano from Johnson & Johnson called for a culturally competent, sustainable health workforce. “The priority area and opportunity that will bring return on investment is solving caregiving crisis. This is a common factor for all,” she said.
5. Accelerate digital health solutions: The use of digital tools to enhance healthcare accessibility and equity is essential for future resilience.

Living Goods is proud to partner with Frontline Health Workers Coalition and co-partners including IntraHealth International, Johnson & Johnson, Seed Global Health, Chemonics International, Project HOPE, and Pathfinder International on this critical event. Together, we’re advocating for the investments needed to build stronger, more resilient health systems.

Watch the full session here: