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Graduates of Lebanese Medical Schools in the United States: an Observational Study of the International Migration of Physicians

As healthcare systems around the world are facing increasing physician shortages, more physicians are migrating from low to high income countries. As an illustrative case of international migration of physicians, we evaluated the current number and historical trends of Lebanese medical graduates in the US, and compared their characteristics to those of US medical graduates and other international medical graduates. [abstract]

Do Visas Kill? Health Effects of African Health Professional Emigration

This study uses a new database of health worker emigration from Africa to test whether exogenous decreases in emigration raise the number of domestic health professionals, increase the mass availability of basic primary care, or improve a range of public health outcomes.

Human Resources for Health Planning and Management in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Facts, Gaps and Forward Thinking for Research and Policy

The objectives of this paper are to: lay out the facts on what we know about the HRH for EMR countries; generate and interpret evidence on the relationship between HRH and health status indicators for LMICs and middle and high income countries (MHICs) in the context of EMR; identify and analyze the information gaps and provide forward thinking by identifying priorities for research and policy. [abstract]

Social Franchising of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Honduras and Nicaragua

This document outlines the outcome of three franchising projects implemented by Partners of Marie Stopes International (MSI) in Honduras and Nicaragua. The projects were designed to pilot full and partial social franchising models as part of an initiative to test and develop alternative forms of delivering quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by a non government organisation (NGO). [abstract]

Development of a Framework for the Development of a Benefit and Motivation Package for Rural Health Workers in Voluntary Agencies (VA) Owned Hospitals: Based on Finding in the Lake Zone

This presentation was given as part of the Christian Health Association’s Conference: CHAs at a Crossroad Towards Achieving Health Millennium Development Goals. It discusses the human resources for health situation in Tanzania in general, and specific findings from the Lake zone in terms of health workers in church health institutions. The author proposes options for a motivation package to address the issues of retention for these workers.

CSSC Geographic and Human Resource Information Systems

This presentation was given as part of the Christian Health Association’s Conference: CHAs at a Crossroad Towards Achieving Health Millennium Development Goals. It introduces geographic information systems (GIS), human resource information systems (HRIS) and the Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC). It outlines the progress made in creating the systems, the benefits and reasons to have GIS and HRIS and presents the preliminary results in terms of health infrastructure, human resources and programs and interventions.

HR Crisis in Kenya: the Dilemma of FBOs

This presentation was given as part of the Christian Health Association’s Conference: CHAs at a Crossroad Towards Achieving Health Millennium Development Goals. It outlines FBO health services in Kenya and sources of and financial support for them. It also discusses the exodus of health workers from church health facilities, the reasons behind this migration and how this problem is being addressed.

Human Resources for Health Retention Strategies: CHAZ Response to the Human Resource Crisis in Zambia

This presentation was given as part of the Christian Health Association’s Conference: CHAs at a Crossroad Towards Achieving Health Millennium Development Goals. It discusses church health institutions and the HR crisis, including staffing levels and attrition; the national response, and details the many efforts of the CHAZ response such as the CHAZ Health Workers’ Retention Scheme.

Partnership Building: Practical Tools to Help You Create, Strengthen, Assess and Manage Your Partnership or Alliance More Productively

The complex and wide ranging challenges related to human resources for health in developing countries necessitate that stakeholders work together through inclusive alliances and networks. This kit aims to offer those wanting to create a partnership, as well as those already working in one, some easily accessible tools to support that process. [from introduction]

Providing Doorstep Services to Underserved Rural Populations: Community Health Officers in Ghana

Through its Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative, Ghana has deployed more than 310 auxiliary nurses in 53 of the country’s most deprived districts. These nurses, who receive two years of training and the title Community Health Officer (CHO), are part of an innovative approach that shifts staff from low-impact static health centers with limited outreach to high-impact mobile community-supported services. CHOs provide doorstep services to underserved rural populations and have improved access to health services for nearly one million Ghanaians (each CHO serves an average of 4,500 people), resulting in substantial improvements in community health.

Kenya's Health Care Crisis: Mobilizing the Workforce in a New Way

The Capacity Project worked with health sector leaders to develop the Emergency Hiring Plan (EHP), an innovative rapid response staffing and training model. Designed to increase the number of qualified health professionals available to work in public health facilities, the EHP is helping the MOH to expand access to treatment and care through the rapid hiring, training and deployment of 830 health workers. [from author]

Ready to Rebuild: Sudanese Doctors Return Home

The 2005 peace treaty between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army created a window of opportunity for rebuilding the south’s severely damaged health sector. The effort is getting an important boost from a program to bring back 15 Sudanese-born doctors who are ready to help. [adapted from author]

Improving Health Care in Zanzibar: Strengthening the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital

As part of the United Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar maintains its own government and an independent Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. To improve the quality of health care, the Ministry created a Human Resources for Health 5-Year Development Plan. A key strategy is the development of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital (MMH) into a semi-autonomous organization. [author’s description]

Building HR Information Systems: Leading the Way Together in Uganda

To help build the health workforce, the Capacity Project assisted Uganda’s Ministry of Health to craft and implement a comprehensive agenda for human resources for health… Improved human resources information systems (HRIS) will help the Ministry to plan for recruitment, training and retention of health professionals. [from author]

Global Health Partnerships: the UK Contribution to Health in Developing Countries

This report sets out many stories of individual and National Health Service partnerships working to improve health and share learning. Already the UK has an impressive record and reputation on international development, in health and in other areas. But to get the best out of all the enthusiasm and the work that is being done, the report identifies a need for better coordination and more strategic partnerships, and makes recommendations for improvement. [from foreword]

Africa's Health in 2010: Capacity Strengthening of African Institutions and Networks: a Strategy

The purpose of this document is to provide Africa 2010’s strategy for strengthening regional and local capacity for adopting effective policies and innovations to improve the health status of Africans. [from introduction]

Human Resources for Health in South East Asia

This document outlines the Programme for Development of Human Resources for Health (HRH) in the WHO South East Asia Region, whose overall aim is to collaborate with the Member Countries to correctly plan, effectively train, efficiently deploy and optimally utilize the types and numbers of health personnel that they require to meet the needs of their health systems. [from introduction]

Understanding Nurse Emigration: Final Report

TURP was commissioned to investigate the extent of nurse emigration and to suggest why this is happening. This report draws out the findings of the research conducted by TURP, and also uses information from newspaper reports. [introduction]

Migration of Health Professionals: Recruitment and Retention Strategy

The effective provision of health services in poor countries is severely hampered by lack of staff. A frequently cited reason for staff shortages is brain drain or moving to greener pastures. Although international migration of health personnel has been occurring since before the 1970s, this has been further facilitated by the recent globalisatioIl of markets and the development offree trade agreements. A summary of an international review was done, to place the South African situation within the international context, and understand the various factors that influence migration. [from executiv

Health Personnel in Southern Africa: Confronting Maldistribution and Brain Drain

The report provides evidence of inadequate ratios of personnel to population for key skilled health personnel, and a maldistribution of personnel along three different axes, between: public and private heath sectors, urban and rural areas and tertiary and primary levels of the health system. It describes the exodus of healthcare workers from areas of poverty and low socio-economic development, to more highly developed areas. [from executive summary]

Using Data to Improve Service Delivery: a Self-Evaluation Approach

This guide will help frontline health workers use the data collected at health facilities to solve common problems in service delivery and improve their response to community needs. It is intended for doctors, nurses, and midwives in community-based health centers. The overall aim of the guide is to promote greater use of existing service data to improve health services. It does not require health workers to collect any additional data. [introduction]

Nursing Management Today: an ICN Viewpoint

Population-based healthcare has become the focus of healthcare services around the world so there is an ever-increasing need to train and support nurse managers who can led and nurture nurses as they work towards providing optimum levels of satisfaction and safety in the care they give to their patients. [abstract]

Continuing Professional Development: a Southern Perspective

One of the challenges of continuing professional development (CPD) is to ensure that members of the medical profession maintain and improve the competencies in medical practice. CPD is an evolving system and different countries in Africa are at different levels of development. This article focuses on the developments and challenges of CPD among medical and dental practitioners in Africa. [abstract]

Creating Conditions for Greater Private Sector Participation in FP/RH: Benefits for Contraceptive Security

Contraceptive security requires comprehensive and integrated approaches that go beyond the public sector. Private sector involvement is critical not only in helping respond to growing market demand but also in ensuring equity in the contraceptive market. Redirecting well-off clients to the private sector will free up scarce donor and public resources for those most vulnerable and in need. Governments and donors cannot mandate private sector expansion and roles; however, they can create favorable conditions that induce private providers to enter the FP/RH market. [author’s description]

Implementing the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work

The manual is designed to help the ILO’s partners understand the issues and apply the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work. The Code is at the core of the ILO’s Programme on HIV/AIDS, providing guidance to governments, employers and workers, as well as other stakeholders, on national action plans and workplace policies and programmes to combat HIV/AIDS.

ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work

The objective of this code is to provide a set of guidelines to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world of work and within the framework of the promotion of decent work. The guidelines cover the following key areas of action: prevention of HIV/AIDS; management and mitigation of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work; care and support of workers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; elimination of stigma and discrimination on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. [from preface]

Meeting of the Africa Health Workforce Observatory

This is a summary report from the Africa Health Workforce Observatory meeting held September 26-29, 2006, at the ECSA headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The meeting focused on developing mechanisms to create up-to-date and reliable information that enables evidence-based decision making for HRH. [adapted from author’s description]

Zambia Pilot Study of Performance-Based Incentives

This study evaluates an intervention to raise healthcare provider morale and retention. Two different incentives-cash and a trophy, awarded to facilities rather than individuals-were tested in two districts. The program was implemented district-wide. Health centers and other small health facilities competed for the awards and were scored on the basis of management system indicators. Interviews with staff in both districts measured the effect of the awards on staff motivation and satisfaction. [publisher’s description]

Rwanda Human Resources Assessment for HIV/AIDS Services Scale-Up: Summary Report

This report examines the workforce issues surrounding HIV/AIDS service delivery. At the request of the Government of Rwanda, data were collected on current health sector staffing and from 20 public and private facilities of various sizes and characteristics on the time required to provide HIV/AIDS services and the quality of those services. The report presents data relative to the numbers of clients needing different types of HIV/AIDS services, providers’ degree of compliance with service delivery standards, and the time it takes to provide services.

Costs and Potential Savings of a Novel Telepaediatric Service in Queensland

There are few cost-minimisation studies in telemedicine. We have compared the actual costs of providing the telepaediatric service to the potential costs if patients had travelled to see the specialist in person. In November 2000, we established a novel telepaediatric service for selected regional hospitals in Queensland. Instead of transferring patients to Brisbane, the majority of referrals to specialists in Brisbane have been dealt with via videoconference.