International migration of doctors and nurses is not a new phenomenon, but it has drawn considerable attention in recent years due to concerns that it might exacerbate shortages of skilled health workers in some countries. The Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2010, was designed to respond to these concerns. It provides an instrument for countries to promote a more ethical recruitment of health personnel, encouraging countries to achieve greater "self-sufficiency" in the training of health workers, while recognising the basic human right of every person to migrate.