Mid-Level Health Providers: A Promising Resource
Article published in the "Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública", July 2011
This article was written based on the online discussion on Mid-Level Providers, moderated by the Alliance and held on the HRH Exchange between 4 - 18 May 2010. It was published in the "Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública".
Abstract: The role of Mid-Level Providers has been progressively expanding and receiving attention, in particular in low- and middle-income countries, as a strategy to overcome health workforce challenges and improve access to essential health services and achieve the health related targets of the Millennium Development Goals. Evidence, although limited and imperfect, shows that, where MLP are adequately trained, supported and integrated coherently in the health system, they have the potential to improve distribution of health workers and enhance equitable access to health services, while retaining quality standards comparable to, if not exceeding, those of services provided by physicians.