Strengthening the Global Health Care Ecosystem:

Addressing the Health Worker Shortage

May 19, 2025

Geneva / Online

According to the World Health Organization, there is a projected 10 million shortfall of health workers across all positions and classifications expected by 2030 — the low end of an estimate that experts say could be eight times larger. This gap has far-reaching consequences that impact health, global health systems, and global economies. A forthcoming report from the McKinsey Health Institute, or MHI, analyzes the opportunities inherent in bridging the health care workforce gap, which could reduce the global disease burden and contribute significantly to the global economy.

Hosted by Devex, in partnership with the McKinsey Health Institute, or MHI, leaders from across the global health ecosystem came together for a dynamic discussion on what's needed to address both the supply and demand side of this gap — and the role of the public, private, and social sectors in advancing progress.

At this event, we:

Discovered new insights quantifying the health and economic cost of the global health worker shortage.

Explored new frameworks for taking action to address the health care worker gap.

Understood the importance of not only increasing health care worker supply, but also decreasing health care demand, and the innovations that can contribute to stronger systems for the future.

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Agenda

This agenda is evolving and subject to change. Check back for more updates!

12 p.m. CEST

Lunch & gallery walk

In person only

1 p.m. CEST

Opening remarks

Alli Blount

Director of Partnerships, Devex

Pooja Kumar

Senior partner and global leader, McKinsey Health Institute

1:05 p.m. CEST

MHI Report Findings

Millicent Miruka

Community health worker, Kenya Ministry of Health and Lwala Community Alliance

Yenli Wong

Partner and director of health worker capacity, McKinsey Health Institute

1:15 p.m. CEST

Panel discussion

Nan Chen

Co-executive director, Africa Frontline First

David Entwistle

President and CEO, Stanford Health Care

Desta Lakew

Group director, partnerships and external affairs, Amref Health Africa

Cynthia Mwase

Director of health, Africa, Gates Foundation

Interviewer: Marilyn Kimeu

Expert associate partner and co-director of Health Worker capacity, McKinsey Health Institute

2 p.m. CEST

Audience Q&A

Tania Holt

Senior partner and health worker capacity affiliated leader, McKinsey Health Institute

2:10 p.m. CEST

Closing remarks

Tania Holt

Senior partner and health worker capacity affiliated leader, McKinsey Health Institute

2:15-2:30 p.m. CEST

Networking

Speakers

Check back for more speaker confirmations coming soon!

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Nan Chen

Co-executive director, Africa Frontline First

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David Entwistle

President and CEO, Stanford Health Care

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Tania Holt

Senior partner and health worker capacity affiliated leader, McKinsey Health Institute

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Dr. Marilyn Kimeu

Expert associate partner and co-director of Health Worker capacity, McKinsey Health Institute

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Pooja Kumar

Senior partner and global leader, McKinsey Health Institute

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Desta Lakew

Group director, partnerships and external affairs, Amref Health Africa

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Millicent Miruka

Community health worker, Kenya Ministry of Health and Lwala Community Alliance

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Cynthia Mwase

Director of health, Africa, Gates Foundation

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Yenli Wong

Partner and director of health worker capacity, McKinsey Health Institute

Interviewers

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Alli Blount

Director of Partnerships, Devex