Global leaders have recently reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of universal health coverage (UHC). ¹ The experience of the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has taught us, however, that to translate such a principle into reality, health systems must be strengthened. Key to such strengthening and to improving health service coverage and health outcomes is the availability of a sufficient, equitably distributed, skilled and motivated workforce. ² Yet in many countries health workforce shortages and poor worker distribution, training and performance hinder the attainment of the health-related MDGs and UHC.