Improving Human Resources for Health means Retaining Health-Workers: Application of the WHO-Recommendations for the
Introduction:
Nigeria is one of 57 countries with critical shortage of health workers (HWs). Strategies to increase and equitably distribute HWs are critical to the achievement of Health Millennium/Sustainable Development Goals. We describe how three Northern Nigeria states adapted World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended incentives to attract, recruit, and retain midwives.
Methods:
Secondary analysis of data from two surveys assessing midwife motivation, retention, and attrition in Northern Nigeria; and expert consultations.
Results:
Midwives highlighted financial and non-financial incentives as key factors in their decisions to renew their contracts. Their perspectives informed the consensus positions of health managers, policymakers and heads of institutions, and led to the adaptation of the WHO recommendations into appropriate state-specific incentive packages.
Conclusions:
The feedback from midwives combined with an expert consultation approach allowed stakeholders to consider and use available evidence to select appropriate incentive packages that offer the greatest potential for helping to address inadequate numbers of rural midwives.
Related Concept Videos
International Nursing Organizations II
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
Current Trends in Nursing I
International Nursing Organizations I
ICN member organizations work to advance the field of nursing and healthcare via policies, partnerships, lobbying, professional...
Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...


