Human Resources for Health

  • Background

The successful implementation of the government’s Health Sector Reform depends on the availability of adequately trained, qualified and motivated staff to deliver health services effectively and efficiently. Chronic shortage of skilled personnel, poor motivation and the uneven deployment of health staff in relation to the geographical distribution and health needs of the population severely constrain provision of adequate health care.

Approach

In the framework of the Sector Wide Approach in health, TGPSH supports the Human Resources for Health (HRH) directorate of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) to steer the HRH technical working group.TGPSH assists in adapting  training courses to actual needs and  increasing the enrolment into pre- and in-service training    as well as the efficient and timely recruitment of personnel for health services. Interventions include:

  • Enabling Zonal Health Resource Centres (ZHRCs) and health training institutions for mid-level cadres, to provide appropriate training, coaching and follow-up of the trained health workers;
  • Assisting the School of Public Health and Social Sciences at Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences and other universities to support Human Resources development in line with the Health Sector Reform;
  • Sponsoring students of the Public Health Masters course and preparing them for their work in disadvantaged  regions;
  • Supporting the upgrading of Clinical Officers to Assistant Medical Officers in Lindi and Mtwara regions;
  • Strengthening the capacities of the regional health authorities in the programme regions in regards to recruitment, retention and management of human resources.

Results

Establishment of the Health Workforce Initiative which  strengthens the capacity of the HRH secretariat in steering the implementation of the HRH Strategic Plan.

Guidelines for the Comprehensive Council Health Plans for Local Government Authorities now contain the HRH component. This enables the inclusion of staff planning and management at district level.

A modular training course for District Health Management has been developed and adopted by four out of eight existing ZHRCs.

An internet-based health information platform, the Muhimbili Health Exchange Forum, has been established, http://www.muhef.or.tz ,visited by approximately 10,000 professionals resulting in regular experience sharing and continuous learning.