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Human Resources for Health in Maternal, Neonatal and - HRH ...

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Summary of f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

This narrative synthesis has exam<strong>in</strong>ed a range of peer reviewed <strong>and</strong> grey the literature <strong>in</strong><br />

order to address the follow<strong>in</strong>g questions:<br />

1. What barriers <strong>and</strong> constra<strong>in</strong>ts <strong>in</strong>hibit HR practice <strong>in</strong> MNRH at community level?<br />

2. How can MNRH health workers at community level be better supported to improve<br />

per<strong>for</strong>mance <strong>and</strong> deliver accessible evidence based <strong>in</strong>terventions?<br />

3. What HR approaches <strong>in</strong> MNRH at community level are practiced <strong>in</strong> countries that<br />

have made significant progress towards MDG 5a <strong>and</strong> 5b?<br />

4. How can, or have these HR practices be scaled up?<br />

5. What <strong>in</strong>dicators might be used to determ<strong>in</strong>e the effectiveness of the community health<br />

work<strong>for</strong>ce <strong>in</strong> MNRH <strong>in</strong> various sett<strong>in</strong>gs?<br />

The key f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs of this literature review are summarised below.<br />

<strong>HRH</strong> barriers <strong>and</strong> constra<strong>in</strong>ts<br />

A review of barriers found a lack of coord<strong>in</strong>ation, poor work<strong>for</strong>ce plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestment<br />

has resulted <strong>in</strong> chronic shortages of staff, poor work<strong>for</strong>ce coverage <strong>and</strong> skill mix. In addition<br />

there are weak <strong>HRH</strong> policies, legislation <strong>and</strong> regulation, difficult work<strong>in</strong>g environments, a<br />

lack of <strong>HRH</strong> leadership <strong>and</strong> management systems, low cl<strong>in</strong>ical competencies, poor<br />

relationships with community members <strong>and</strong> weak community organisational structures.<br />

Supportive <strong>HRH</strong> approaches <strong>in</strong> MNRH at community level<br />

A number of examples have been drawn from the literature that highlight country experiences<br />

<strong>in</strong> the areas described below.<br />

Improv<strong>in</strong>g policy, legislation <strong>and</strong> regulation<br />

Strategies identified <strong>in</strong> the literature <strong>in</strong> this area <strong>in</strong>clude the provision of support <strong>for</strong> the<br />

development of <strong>HRH</strong> policy, models of <strong>HRH</strong> policy at community level, accreditation of<br />

education <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g programmes, licens<strong>in</strong>g of facilities, legal mechanisms to support task<br />

shift<strong>in</strong>g to community health workers <strong>and</strong> TBAs, ethical st<strong>and</strong>ards of practice.<br />

Strengthen<strong>in</strong>g Management <strong>and</strong> leadership<br />

Examples of successful <strong>HRH</strong> management practice <strong>in</strong>clude the establishment of per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />

management systems, models of supportive supervision, the development of appropriate job<br />

descriptions. In addition examples of practice <strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g areas are identified: career<br />

pathways, work<strong>for</strong>ce plann<strong>in</strong>g, selection <strong>and</strong> recruitment, task shift<strong>in</strong>g, substitution <strong>and</strong><br />

delegation, development of new cadres, remuneration, <strong>in</strong>centives, <strong>HRH</strong> <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation systems,<br />

leadership support <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g.<br />

P a g e | 170

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