The World Health Report 2006 ‘Working Together for Health’ pointed to an estimated 57 countries globally that have a critical shortage equivalent to a global deficit of 2.4 million doctors, nurses and midwives which by implication suggests millions of people worldwide who do not receive the essential health care and services that are desperately needed. Simply training and graduating more health professionals is not the answer to this vexing issue. Concerted and immediate efforts to transform and scale up health professionals’ education are required to attain the right mix of skills and competencies of health professionals who can respond to the ever changing and evolving needs of populations around the world. Building on an approach of global collaborative leadership, efforts that are adaptive and flexible in various cultural and socio-economic settings will be key to the successful implementation of these evidence-informed guideline recommendations. These guidelines call for new approaches in health professionals’ education. Approaches are needed that transform systems and encourage the move away from the traditional focus on tertiary care hospitals to initiatives that foster community engagement. The guidelines recommendations support and advocate for implementation considerations in efforts to involve communities and countries collectively for this transformational change in health professionals’ education. It is the intent of the Guidelines to encourage educational and training institutions to foster and enhance the relational activity and the interaction and planning between education, health and other sectors.