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

Strengthening HRH policy legislation, regulation
Policy is critical to guiding HR practice in MNRH at community level. National policy
should inform those at district level that are key to the management of community level staff.
The WHO/SEARO (2003) guidelines for strengthening midwifery and nursing in the south
east Asian region state that national employment policies that are implemented for the
nursing and midwifery workforce should be ―gender-sensitive, based on healthy and safe
work environments and conditions, provide for equitable rewards and recognition of
competencies, and are linked to a transparent career structure‖. The development of National
HRH policies is been regarded as a top priority by the AAAH (2008) and the PHRHA in their
2010 plan.
WHO has developed a set of guidelines is to support countries o formulate, develop and
review HRH situations, policies and plans. The primary target group includes HRH managers
in the Ministries of Health, health facilities and other government ministries such as
Education, Planning and Civil or Public Service agencies dealing with the HRH development
(WHO 2004). This generic document takes a collaborative approach but does not include
MNRH at community level as an area of specific policy attention. There are few instances
where ccommunity level HRH have been highlighted in the Asia and Pacific regions as areas
of need for policy development. One exception is at a WPRO meeting (2008) where the
quality and qualification of community health workers was regarded as a key policy area for
China. Health workers also need to be engaged in policy making ensuring buy in which helps
to ensure policy implementation. A study in Botswana found that health worker participation
in MCH policy making enhanced productivity (Fako 2002).
Legislations and regulatory frameworks
Licensure is one approach to applying standards to ensure levels of individual and health
service quality. Established to protect basic public health and safety, licensure standards
address the minimum legal requirements or qualifications healthcare professionals and
organizations need to operate. They also guarantee appropriate adoption of new medical
practices and provide a framework to accommodate amendments to existing practices.
Licensure programs for individuals may involve examination of credentials, inspection of
educational programs, testing of professional qualifications, reciprocal granting of licenses to
applicants of other countries, issuance of regulations establishing professional standards of
practice, and investigation of charges of violations of standards. In most countries healthcare
facilities must be licensed to provide care or services to patients. Governments or regulatory
authorities grant licenses when facilities meet defined levels of quality or provide certain
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