The national-level policy environment for human resources in a country is often fragmented. Authority for staff funding, recruitment, promotion, training, and management can be spread over several ministries, diffusing responsibility and delaying hiring, firing, and promotion. An integrated and streamlined approach is essential to support the staffing needs of health facilities.
Unfavorable personnel policies result in shortages. Staff attrition can often be made worse by detrimental personnel policies, including mandatory retirement age and lack of promotion opportunities. Good leaders can advocate for changes in personnel policies to achieve common health goals.
National civil service rules can contribute to inadequate human resources. Government policies often don't provide health managers with the authority to carry out important human resource functions or to budget funds to carry out those functions.
Low salaries contribute to migration. Low salaries are one of the major causes of staff migration; talented, motivated staff can become demoralized when they are poorly paid and will seek opportunities elsewhere. Low salaries are tied to poor economic conditions and inappropriate priorities for public expenditure, but good leadership and policy reform can result in more equitable distribution of salaries and allowances. Improved management can bring about increased health expenditures and wages.
Actions you can take:
Unfavorable personnel policies result in shortages. Staff attrition can often be made worse by detrimental personnel policies, including mandatory retirement age and lack of promotion opportunities. Good leaders can advocate for changes in personnel policies to achieve common health goals.
National civil service rules can contribute to inadequate human resources. Government policies often don't provide health managers with the authority to carry out important human resource functions or to budget funds to carry out those functions.
Low salaries contribute to migration. Low salaries are one of the major causes of staff migration; talented, motivated staff can become demoralized when they are poorly paid and will seek opportunities elsewhere. Low salaries are tied to poor economic conditions and inappropriate priorities for public expenditure, but good leadership and policy reform can result in more equitable distribution of salaries and allowances. Improved management can bring about increased health expenditures and wages.
Actions you can take:
- Identify staffing gaps to use as a baseline for your HCD strategy
- Develop policies and incentives to minimize staff migration
- Develop an HIV workplace prevention program
- Address constraints in national civil service rules
- Realign activities that health cadres are authorized to perform
- Improve salaries and allowance structures