WHO Academy Revives Pacific Open Learning Health Network

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.

This strategic migration signifies a new phase in the development of the health workforce and educational support throughout Pacific island nations and regions, providing improved access to high-quality, competency-based education for health professionals in some of the most geographically scattered areas in the world.

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.

“I am glad that we renew a simple promise: learning will reach every health worker, and it will support care where it is delivered,” 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.

"Since 2003, POLHN has worked to overcome distance; now it returns with a focus on Pacific leadership. In true Pacific style, we will craft the canoe—our drua—as we navigate this journey together, ensuring that learning aligns with service and care remains close to home."

Temporarily closed in 2022 due to funding constraints, POLHN has now been re-established through a collaboration between the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office and the WHO Academy. The revitalized POLHN will feature a dedicated learning space on the recently launched WHO Academy online learning platform, with courses tailored to the unique needs of Pacific health and care workers.

Pacific learners will have access to hundreds of new courses, including those developed by the WHO Academy and partner institutions intended for the global health workforce, thereby linking the educational offerings of academic collaborators.

Other courses and training programs offered by professional development providers will also be available, such as the WHO Fellowships and leadership programs provided by the Korea Foundation for International Health (KOFIH).

Courses cover a broad array of subjects, including climate change, basic emergency care, and the management of noncommunicable diseases. These courses are designed to enhance healthcare systems and improve health outcomes globally.

“Health and care workers in the Pacific face extraordinary challenges due to distance, limited resources, and workforce shortages,” said Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.

“The rapid pace of new standards and innovations is outpacing health systems’ ability to keep up – 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.”

The WHO Academy is a state-of-the-art learning institution that utilizes cutting-edge technology to provide flexible and impactful training and capacity building. Upon completion of their courses, learners will receive digital credentials that support their career advancement and recognize their competencies. “As part of our mission to advance universal health coverage by strengthening the health workforce, this collaboration exemplifies our efforts to ensure access to relevant learning opportunities,” stated Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems. “We are proud to support the health and care workforce in the Pacific with a learning environment that is both accessible and relevant to their daily realities. Together with our colleagues in the Western Pacific Regional Office, we are creating a future where lifelong learning is a reality for all health professionals.” The online learning platform offers course formats that are compatible with low bandwidth and mobile-friendly, incorporating learner feedback to continuously enhance the learning experience.

For more information and to access the POHLN learning space, visit whoacademy.org to register or contact the Western Pacific Regional Office Capacity and Leadership Strengthening Unit at wprocal@who.int.

WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific Email: wprocom@who.int

WHO Representative Office for the South Pacific Email: nwong@who.int

WHO Academy Media Team Email: academymedia@who.int