Retention of health workers in Malawi: perspectives of health workers and district management
Case study
Due to the shortage of fully qualified doctors and specialists in Africa, most of the district health services are provided by middle level cadre like clinical health offices and enrolled nurses, who have shorter training times and provide services that were originally provided by specialists.
This survey was conducted in 2007 in three district of Malawi to measure the job satisfaction and perception of work environment of health workers. In the study, staff described significant demotivating experiences and were particularly dissatisfied with unfair access to education and career advancement opportunities and inadequate supervision.