Importance of Leadership Development in Health Human Resources: Reflection on Training Courses for Future Health Leaders Conducted in Tokai University in Collaboration with WHO-WPRO, Supported by JICA.

Introduction: The aim of this report is to reflect on an initiative of human resources development in health conducted in Japan from 1996-2018, in response to a World Health Organization (WHO) consultation on future studies conducted in 1993. Methods: Using documents relevant to the training courses, the inauguration motive and output of 22 rounds of training courses were investigated. Results: Inauguration and output of training courses: In 1996, Tokai University School of Medicine responded to the demand for development of health leadership and inaugurated a training course. Focus was placed on future studies and a demand-side approach in the content. Total 250 participants were from 53 countries covering six WHO regions. Discussion: Since 2001, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has joined in support of the initiative. Because JICA under the auspices of the Japanese government, possible bias in the selection of participants cannot be denied. A more ideal mechanism would involve global management and funding. Conclusion: In the era of Sustainable Development Goals, further evolution of the leadership development in health is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]