Africa
A strategic framework for the human resources for health plan: draft for discussion
Improving human resources for health: South Africa’s plan
Authors:
; Department of Health: South Africa
Publisher:
Health Systems Trust, South Africa, 2005
This draft paper, produced by the Department of Health, South Africa, presents a rapid appraisal of human resources in the South Africa health care system; outlines current issues relating to this subject; and describes the major pillars of the country’s National Human Resource Plan for Health. Specific issues addressed include “stewardship” (the question of who takes responsibility for the performance of the health system); the need to develop norms and standards that are sensitive to local contexts; and broad activities to be undertaken by national and provincial departments and other institutions.
The paper includes a set of guiding principles for the Human Resource Plan. These include the need to apply knowledge and research on human resources for health to the health system as a whole; alignment of training and education resources to the needs of the health system; and improving the balance and distribution of skilled health professionals across health services. The paper argues that South Africa’s contribution to the global market for human resources must be managed, and should involve opportunities for health professionals to acquire new skills. Health workers must have the capacity and appropriate skills to deliver accessible, appropriate, high quality care at all levels.
