HIV and AIDS recommended readings
Impact of HIV/AIDS on the health sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: the issue of human resources.
Human resource assessments must be prioritised in the implementation of national HIV/AIDS policies
Authors:
L. Tawfik; S. Kinoti
Publisher:
US Agency for International Development , 2001
As African countries scale up HIV/AIDS programmes, human resource policy and management must be considered a priority investment. Issues to be considered include: commitment of funds; development of provider skills to meet the changing patient mix and disease profiles; and diagnostic, care, and support therapies. Aimed at policy makers and advocacy groups, this paper from the Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development at USAID reviews data and studies from sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of developing human resource assessments in the health sector.
While human resource assessments are required across sub-Saharan Africa, the paper suggests that, initially, three countries should be selected to develop and adapt the existing tools in order to collect and analyse data for planning purposes. A core set of standardised indicators needs to be developed, and lessons learned about human resource assessments in the private sector should be shared. It is envisaged that partners will aim to establish national coordinating bodies in sub-Saharan Africa to adapt a proposed set of indicators, undertake impact assessments, and use the results to design locally-relevant interventions and actions [adapted from author].
