Awards for Excellence (for case stories)
© GHWA/OnAsia/L.Duggleby
HRH Awards Ceremony, Bangkok, 29 January 2011
Projects successful in strengthening their country-level health workforce were highlighted as examples of excellence at the Second Global Forum. An independent award committee of prominent experts in human resources for health selected 36 case stories, which were all featured in the marketplace during the forum.
Each example highlights outstanding results in strengthening of a health workforce through using one or more of the six strategies outlined in the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action.
"These case studies are outstanding examples of successful strengthening of a health workforce," said Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Executive Director of the Alliance. "Strategies outlined in the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action are guiding countries and other stakeholders in their work improving human resources for health. These are all promising examples, of which we can all learn from."
Six overall winners were announced at the Forum's closing ceremony. In total, 96 compelling case stories were submitted from 46 countries. Each submission featured one or more of the strategies outlined in the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action.
Award for Excellence winners:
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Health Workers for Health Services in Remote, Underserved, Country Borderline Areas and Small Islands
Author: Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia
Country: Indonesia
This programme addressed the shortage of health professionals in rural areas of Indonesia while also strengthening the long term supply. It focuses on investment and retention strategies; highlighting the importance of commitments from the Ministry of Finance and Central Government to successfully achieve the objectives. -
Establishing a robust and sustainable human resources information systems in Kenya
Author: Ministry of Medical Services (MoMS) and Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MoPHS), Kenya
Country: Kenya
The Kenya Health Workforce Information System represents one of the longest running and comprehensive human resources information systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Using health workforce information collated in electronically-linked databases, it has successfully informed workforce planning and management in various contexts. -
Counterpart Technical Support between Urban Tertiary Hospitals and Rural Hospitals in China
Author: Ministry of Health, China
Countries: China
Over 70% of China's population is located in rural areas. However, less than 20% of total health resources are allocated to these regions. In order to improve services, physicians from urban territories were assigned to work in country-level hospitals and township health centers. Both financial, and non-financial incentives, were offered to participants to successfully build the HR capacity. -
Rebuilding Health Services after a Health Workforce Crisis in Zimbabwe
Author: Ministry Of Health and Child Welfare
Country: Zimbabwe
In recent years, Zimbabwe has faced an unprecedented health and human resource crisis. Health workers were leaving their roles due to the country's instability and cholera ravaged the country. In 2008, the Government introduced a successful retention package based on HRH strategies in the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action. -
Improving government district hospitals through an integrated programme of health worker environmental support in Nepal
Author: Nick Simons Institute and National Health Training Center, Nepal
Country: Nepal
Nepal's Rural Staff Support Program has enhanced the performance of rural health workers since it began in September 2007. Using a diverse package of incentives and environmental supports, more patients in rural areas have improved access to health services and facilities. -
Developing multiple, integrated strategies to address Ethiopia’s Human Resources for Health needs
Author: Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH)
Country: Ethiopia
Ethiopia has successfully strengthened its health workforce through a combination of long-term, strategic decisions and targeted immediate/short term measures. In 2007, a number of health workforce challenges were identified. It has since successfully increased health workforce officers, improved HR information systems, and scaled-up education.
All nominated Case Stories
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Coherent training for community health workers and paramedics in rural Bangladesh
Author: RTM International, Bangladesh
Country: Bangladesh
A program which has increased skills and job opportunities in rural areas while increasing the number of qualified health workers. With a more coordinated approach to training, the courses are tailored to address skill shortages with the quality standardized across the country. -
Reducing pressure on health systems by more effective home-based care and reducing the burden of care on women and girls
Author: VSO Malawi
Country: Malawi | Eastern and Southern Africa
The lack of health workers in southern Africa has resulted in around 80% of patients living with HIV/AIDS being cared for at home. VSO has successfully implemented an advocacy strategy where, in Namibia, a supportive environment for home-based care has been established. Its integration into the public health system has relieved pressure on hospitals and clinics. -
Facilitating knowledge sharing internationally for health
Author: VSO International
Countries: Malawi, Phillipines, Zimbabwe
Allowing health official to observe examples of best practice in other countries can help them gain a deeper understanding of the various approaches to tackling health system problems. Examples of good practice in one country can be effectively passed to others. VSO facilitated the transmission of knowledge from the Philippines to Malawi, and then on to Zimbabwe. -
Health Workers for Health Services in Remote, Underserved, Country Borderline Areas and Small Islands
Author: Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia
Country: Indonesia
This programme addressed the shortage of health professionals in rural areas of Indonesia while also strengthening the long term supply. It focuses on investment and retention strategies; highlighting the importance of commitments from the Ministry of Finance and Central Government to successfully achieve the objectives. -
Establishing a robust and sustainable human resources information systems in Kenya
Author: Ministry of Medical Services (MoMS) and Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MoPHS), Kenya
Country: Kenya
The Kenya Health Workforce Information System represents one of the longest running and comprehensive human resources information systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Using health workforce information collated in electronically-linked databases, it has successfully informed workforce planning and management in various contexts. -
Human Resources for Health Leadership Development Programme in Kenya
Author: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Country: Kenya
While Kenya needs more health workers, urgent action is also needed in strengthening the performance of its existing workforce. This programme encouraged teams to address their HR-related challenges and develop action plans to achieve measurable results. -
Strengthening leadership and ownership of HR information management
Author: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Country: United Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania has improved its human resources information, and developed a comprehensive system to address the issue. The Human Resource for Health Information System was developed and implemented using a country-led approach to closely tailor the system to meet the Government’s needs. -
Leading the Way: pre-service training institutions in Nicaragua and Uganda prepare students to lead health programmes
Author: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Countries: Nicaragua and Uganda
Graduates fresh out of medical school can be unprepared for various issues in their early roles. The focus on technical skills can produce excellent health workers, but many lack confidence as leaders and managers. This programme successfully introduced practical and action-orientated modules into courses to tackle this weakness. -
Counterpart Technical Support between Urban Tertiary Hospitals and Rural Hospitals in China
Author: Ministry of Health, China
Countries: China
Over 70% of China's population is located in rural areas. However, less than 20% of total health resources are allocated to these regions. In order to improve services, physicians from urban territories were assigned to work in country-level hospitals and township health centers. Both financial, and non-financial incentives, were offered to participants to successfully build the HR capacity. -
Development of a human resources Management Information System for the Malawi Ministry of Health
Author: VSO Malawi
Country: Malawi
An effective management information system is an important component of planning and managing human resources for health. Malawi introduced a MIS, and after addressing a number of roll-out issues, now has a an effective package of up-to-date human resource data. It has substantially improved the Government’s capacity to effectively plan and manage HR in health. -
Community Health Workers at the Millennium Villages Project increase access to the health workforce
Author: The Millennium Villages Project (MVP)
Countries:
A successful project which focuses on community health workers delivering basic healthcare services to strengthen health systems. With around 90% of community health workers staying in these rural areas, this had led to a dramatic reduction in conditions such as malaria prevalence, malnutrition, and improvements in infant vaccination programs. -
Improving human resources for sexual and reproductive health and maternity services in Somaliland through performance-based pay
Author: Health Poverty Action
Country: Somaliland
Somaliland has a weak and under resourced health system following years of war and under-investment. The Government struggled to provide adequate sexual and reproductive health services before launching an incentive scheme for health workers. It now has an improved health workforce, and improved healthcare facilities. -
Improving management and supervision for Health Surveillance Assistants in Malawi
Author: VSO Malawi
Country: Malawi
The health workforce crisis in Malawi has led to additional pressures being placed on Health Surveillance Assistants. Originally deployed across Malawi to work as researchers, but they were often requested to also carry out nursing duties. To address the problem, an HRH management scheme was implemented to empower and motivate Health Surveillance Assistants; this will soon be introduced across Malawi. -
Human resources improvement collaboration in Niger’s Tahoua Region
Author: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Country: Niger
The Niger HR Collaboration’s Change Package was initiated in Niger's Tahoua region, a rural area accounting for more than 80 percent of the Tahouan population and with very scarce health personnel. The priorities in the change package included increasing health workers’ engagement, their productivity and patients’ quality of care. Initial results seem very encouraging and led the MoH to integrate components of the package into the upcoming five-year national health plan. -
Extending lifesaving HIV services by expanding community health counseling and testing in Mozambique
Author: Ministry of Health, Mozambique and Jhpiego-Mozambique
Country: Mozambique
To improve health services in Mozambique, the MoH and the National AIDS Commission with support from Jhpiego and PEPFAR developed a pilot project to scale up counseling and testing (CT), primarily but not exclusively for HIV. Community counselors received a training and have proven to be an extremely productive and efficient workforce. The programme has been expanded nationwide and proved that trained, supported and supervised community providers can make an important difference in some critical areas of healthcare. -
Highlighting health workers’ concerns through focused research: supporting studies in Malawi, Cambodia, Uganda and Sierra Leone
Author: VSO International
Country: Malawi, Cambodia, Seirra Leone Uganda
This project, run by VSO International focuses on health worker's living conditions, attitudes and concerns and was rolled out in Malawi, Cambodia and Uganda. The research project aims to bridge the gap between the reality of health workers’ lives and the expectations of policymakers and health users. Key issues emerging from the research will be subject of debate with key health sector stakeholders, including civil society organizations as well as governmental bodies. -
Using e-learning to address health worker shortages in Kenya
Author: AMREF Kenya
Country: Kenya
In order to urgently increase the supply of health worker, and since traditional classroom training in specific institutions have proven to be insufficient, AMREF and partners have initiated an innovative e-Learning course on several aspects of health worker's training. This would not only address the critical shortage of qualified nurses in Kenya, but it would also result in improved health services, particularly to disadvantaged communities. -
Rebuilding Health Services after a Health Workforce Crisis in Zimbabwe
Author: Ministry Of Health and Child Welfare
Country: Zimbabwe
In recent years, Zimbabwe has faced an unprecedented health and human resource crisis. Health workers were leaving their roles due to the country's instability and cholera ravaged the country. In 2008, the Government introduced a successful retention package based on HRH strategies in the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action. -
Quality assurance in pharmacy education: a cornerstone for strengthening the pharmacy workforce in India
Author: International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Pharmacy Education Taskforce
Country: India
India accounts for approximately 50 pharmacists per 100,000 people, with a large urban-rural disparity. To address this issue the National Taskforce for Quality Assurance in Pharmacy Education, a multi-sectoral coordination mechanism was formed. Serious shortages in the number of trained pharmacists and competency concerns may be addressed by effective accreditation of pharmacy training institutes. -
Private international cooperation for healthcare workers’ training and capacity building in HuiLi County Hospital, Sichuan, China
Author: Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
Country: China
A team of doctors from Singapore have shown their dedication to the transfer of knowledge and skills to train their Chinese counterparts so as to build capacity, leading to meaningful change in HuiLi county hospital. This cooperation led to the adoption of several good healthcare practices, institutionalizing infection care and the introduction of physiotherapy services. -
Facilitiating policy development: the role of a public health institution in Pakistan
Author: Health Services Academy, Pakistan
Country: Pakistan
To address the urban/rural and public/private divides in Pakistan, the Health Services Academy has partnered with the WHO, GHWA and the Ministry of Health to develop a National HRH Strategy. Health workers being at the heart of the strategy, the HSA is thus playing a catalytic role in developing national strategies that recognized the value and the needs of HRH. -
Improving government district hospitals through an integrated programme of health worker environmental support in Nepal
Author: Nick Simons Institute and National Health Training Center, Nepal
Country: Nepal
Nepal's Rural Staff Support Program has enhanced the performance of rural health workers since it began in September 2007. Using a diverse package of incentives and environmental supports, more patients in rural areas have improved access to health services and facilities. -
Heralding a health revolution: female Community Health Workers in rural Rajasthan
Author: State ASHA Resource Centre and State health system resource centre
Country: India
The ‘communitization’ of health services may require the recruitment of community workers at multiple levels and in various capacities. As multiple ministries/ departments may be involved in the delivery of health services at the community level, care must be taken to ensure that there is no duplication of efforts. The case of appointing health worker assistants/ sahyoginis in Rajasthan provides an interesting example of doing this, as these workers are appointed to support community outreach for the activities of the Ministries of Health, and Women and Child Development. -
Developing multiple, integrated strategies to address Ethiopia’s Human Resources for Health needs
Author: Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH)
Country: Ethiopia
Ethiopia has successfully strengthened its health workforce through a combination of long-term, strategic decisions and targeted immediate/short term measures. In 2007, a number of health workforce challenges were identified. It has since successfully increased health workforce officers, improved HR information systems, and scaled-up education. -
The Tanzania Nursing Initiative: using the HRH Action Framework to strengthen Tanzania’s healthcare workforce
Author: The Tanzania Nursing Initiative
Country: Tanzania
The TNI has been successful in strengthening nursing education in Tanzania by educating 415 nurses in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, providing technical assistance and support on curriculum development and revision, and providing support to Tanzanian nursing schools. It also plans to develop a faculty package and to roll out nursing lab skills among many other initiatives. -
Nigeria Midwives Service Scheme
Author: National Primary Health Care Development Agency
Country: Nigeria
Nigeria has had a very poor record regarding maternal and child health outcomes. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) established the Midwives Service Scheme (MSS), a public sector collaborative initiative, designed to mobilize midwives, including newly qualified, unemployed and retired midwives, for deployment to selected primary health care facilities in rural communities. The aim is to facilitate an increase in the coverage of Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA) to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality. -
The Foreign Placement Coordinating Centre in Sri Lanka
Author: Dr A De Silva, Dr T De Silva,Dr Kumalatilake , Dr Pradep
Country: Sri Lanka
The Foreign Placement Coordinating Centre (FPCC) was initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka with the objective of arranging foreign placements for specialists, non-specialist medical officers and postgraduate trainees, as well as guaranteeing their returns after completing their foreign training. The FPCC has, in its 2 years of existence managed to send participants to their training destinations of choice which is a promising start from the program. -
The contribution of Public Health Midwives to better health in rural communities in Sri Lanka
Author: Dr. A. Pubudu de Silva
Country: Sri Lanka
Public Health Midwives (PHMs) have been an important part of the primary healthcare system in Sri Lanka since early in the twentieth century. Traditionally these health workers focused only on midwifery, but now PHMs have evolved into a professional cadre, playing a role in preventive health covering many aspects other than midwifery. Their services are immensely valued in rural settings where health resources are scarce. -
Zambia’s National Community Health Worker Strategy
Author: Ministry of Health (MoH)
Country: Zambia
The Zambia Community Health Worker (CHW) Strategy was developed to formalize and standardize the role of CHWs in the health sector in order to enable equity of access to high-impact primary health services. Zambia is positioned to achieve its overarching CHW Strategy goal to have a cost‐effective, adequately trained and motivated community‐based health workforce that will contribute to improved management of common and preventable health conditions in Zambia. -
Lesotho Nursing Initiative
Author: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
Country: Lesotho
The initiative brought in local and foreign nurses to achieve the goal of ART scale up, whilst buying the MOHSW some time to identify funding to recruit locally, and to scale up domestic output. It identified a number of measures that can be taken to increase retention locally. It created a unique model of a government-to-government partnership that succeeded in keeping nurses within the region. -
Developing regional capacity and leadership on HRH
Author: HRH Research and Development Program International Health Policy Program, Thailand (IHPP) Ministry of Public Health
Country: Thailand
Although a large amount of work is still required to fully address the concerns around HRH strategic planning capacity in the country, the National HRH Strategic plan has made some positive inroads towards addressing them. The creation of systems and organizations such as the National HRH Commission among others is testament to the commitment towards addressing Thailand’s HRH Strategic planning resources shortage. -
Mechanisms to ensure evidence-based HRH policy development in Thailand
Author: HRH Research and Development Program International Health Policy Program, Thailand (IHPP) Ministry of Public Health
Country: Thailand
The Health System Research Institute and the International Health Policy Programme have jointly established the HRDP, which started as a pilot project in 2006 and after the 1st Global Forum on HRH was further developed into a full programme in 2009. The goal of the HRDP is to ensure sustainable capacity that supports “knowledge-based HRH policies formulation and implementation as well as adequate and timely HRH information to monitor the HRH situations”. -
Stemming and reversing the out-migration of human resources for health in Lesotho
Author: Lesotho-Boston Health Alliance (LeBoHA)
Country: Lesotho
Since the LeBoHA programme started, over 30 doctors have applied to return to Lesotho to join the Family Medicine Specialty Training Program (FMSTP). The nursing interventions have resulted in a 41% improvement in nursing skills according to LeBoHA . Through the integration of a number of AGA strategies, LeBoHA and the MOHSW have been able to develop and sustain significant and effective actions to address the HRH crisis in Lesotho. -
Using information to improve allocation and management of HRH: the Zambia optimization model
Author: Ministry of Health, Zambia
Country: Zambia
Although it is too early to measure the impact of the optimization model, it is expected to contribute to improved access to health providers in areas that have the highest demand for health services and reduced disparity between urban and rural health worker distribution. It has also helped with efficient resource usage to by prioritizing cadres for training. Ultimately, these should improve health indicators where supply of health workers meets demand and contribute towards meeting the MDGs. -
Shifting tasks to save lives: the example of AMREF-trained clinical officers in Southern Sudan
Author: AMREF Southern Sudan
Country: Southern Sudan
AMREF’s support to the Government of Southern Sudan, through the provision of technical support and supportive supervision for capacity building activities, was instrumental in the creation of an enabling environment through the development of government policies on Human Resources for Health. For task shifting to be successful, policies that support it must be encouraged in order to make essential health services more widely available, particularly in post-conflict settings like Southern Sudan. -
Community Health Workers – an important resource towards achieving the MDGs
Author: AMREF Tanzania
Country: Tanzania
Based on the lessons learned from programming in Tanzania, AMREF advocates for the integration of CHWs into the revised HRH strategic framework, including the development of new strategies to enable CHWs to contribute more effectively to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes.