WHO alliance aims to tackle the world's lack of health workers (4)
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A good reference is the report of the first High-Level Forum on the Health Millenium Development Goals held in Geneva in 2004, which has a nice situation analysis and gives some suggestions on what can be done, using examples of what some countries are doing as a basis. You can download the full report from:
http://www.hlfhealthmdgs.org/Documents/HealthWorkforceChallenges-Final.pdf
Below is an abridged summary of the report that list members may find useful.
HEALTH WORKFORCE CHALLENGES: LESSONS FROM COUNTRY EXPERIENCES
High Level Forum on the MDGs
High-Level Forum (HLF) on the Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2004)
This report, written for the High Level Forum on Health MDGs, outlines the looming crisis in human resources for health (HRH) confronting most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and suggests concrete actions that can be taken to avert this crisis. The authors outline three dimensions of the crisis. Firstly, there is an absolute shortage of health workers in some countries. Secondly, human resources are unevenly distributed. Finally, the productivity of human resources is low. The authors argue that these issues are related. For example, the HIV and AIDS epidemic creates new burdens on the health workforce, while at the same time reducing its numbers and productivity.
The authors provide a range of suggestions on how to tackle this crisis. Two basic elements in any strategy should include: an analysis of HRH in health systems to identify specific measures to address the crisis; and strengthening the information basis for policy formulation with information on inflows, outflows, staff population size, and distribution of HRH. The authors highlight how a successful strategy needs to include a range of measures, including approaches that are aimed at increasing inflows of staff, reducing migration, increasing capacity, reducing demands, achieving better distribution and creating a more appropriate level and mix of skills. [adapted from author]