The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the revitalization of the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN), which will soon be available as a dedicated learning space on the WHO Academy online learning platform. <\/p>\n
This strategic migration marks a new chapter in health workforce development and learning support across Pacific island<\/a> countries and areas, offering enhanced access to high-quality, competency-based education for health professionals in some of the world\u2019s most geographically dispersed regions.<\/p>\n Originally launched in 2003, POLHN has long served as a lifeline for continuing professional development in the Pacific, overcoming barriers of distance, infrastructure and limited on-site training capacity. <\/p>\n \u201cI am glad that we renew a simple promise: learning will reach every health worker, and it will support care where it is delivered,\u201d shared Honourable Mr Penioni Koliniwai Ravunawa, Assistant Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji during the special one-day meeting on the Healthy Islands vision, held on Yanuca Island. <\/p>\n \u201cSince 2003, POLHN has helped bridge distance; now it returns with Pacific leadership at its centre. In true Pacific fashion, we will shape the canoe \u2013 our drua \u2013 as we journey, together, so learning keeps pace with service and care stays close to home\u201d.<\/p>\n Temporarily closed in 2022 due to funding constraints, POLHN has now been re-established through a collaboration between the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office <\/a>and the WHO Academy<\/a>. The revitalized POLHN will feature a dedicated learning space on the recently launched WHO Academy online learning platform<\/a>, with courses tailored to the unique needs of Pacific health and care workers.<\/p>\n Pacific learners will have access to hundreds of new courses, including those developed by the WHO Academy and partner institutions designed for the global health workforce \u2013 connecting learning offerings of academic partners.<\/p>\n Other courses and trainings by providers of professional development will also be available, like the WHO Fellowships and leadership programmes offered by the Korea Foundation for International Health (KOFIH). <\/p>\n Courses span a wide range of topics \u2013 from climate change to basic emergency care and management of noncommunicable diseases \u2013 designed to strengthen health-care systems and improve health outcomes around the world.<\/p>\n \u201cHealth and care workers in the Pacific face extraordinary challenges due to distance, limited resources and workforce shortages,\u201d said\u00a0Dr Saia Ma\u2019u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. <\/p>\n \u201cThe rapid pace of new standards and innovations is outpacing health systems\u2019 ability to keep up \u2013 it can sometimes take up to 10 years for resource-constrained health systems to adapt to medical innovations. By revitalizing POLHN and integrating it into the WHO Academy, we are reaffirming our commitment to equity in learning and ensuring that every health worker, no matter where they are, has the opportunity to learn, grow and serve their communities more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n The WHO Academy is a state-of-the-art learning institution that leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver flexible and high-impact training and capacity building. Learners will receive digital credentials upon course completion, supporting career advancement and recognition of competencies.<\/p>\n \u201cAs part of our mission to advance universal health coverage by strengthening the health workforce, this collaboration exemplifies our efforts to provide access to relevant learning,\u201d said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Systems.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud to support the Pacific health and care workforce with a learning environment that is accessible and applicable to their everyday realities. Together with our colleagues in the Western Pacific Regional Office we are building a future where lifelong learning is a reality for all health professionals.<\/p>\n The online learning platform offers low-bandwidth compatible and mobile-friendly course formats and integration of learner feedback to continuously improve the learning experience. <\/p>\n For more information and to access the POHLN learning space, visit whoacademy.org <\/a>to register or contact the Western Pacific Regional Office Capacity and Leadership Strengthening Unit at wprocal@who.int<\/a>. <\/p>\n Media contacts WHO Representative Office for the South Pacific
WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific
Email:\u00a0wprocom@who.int<\/a><\/p>\n
Email:\u00a0nwong@who.int<\/a><\/p>\n