Human resources for health, opportunities and challenges in the Indonesian province of Papua
Document type: mthesis
Download file(s):
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Abstract:
The province of Papua is the easternmost province of the republic of Indonesia. The indigenous population of Papua consists of 300 ethnic groups that are becoming outnumbered by migrants from other islands in Indonesia. The province has the lowest human development index of the country and the health status of its population is characterized by a high infant mortality rate and a generalizing HIV epidemic (estimated 3% of the general population). The major factor that limits access to health services is the availability of competent health staff within the primary health care (PHC) system. The study identified factors influencing availability of PHC staff in the highlands district of Puncak Jaya. It proposes strategies to improve the attraction and retention of health workforce, METHODOLOGY: Literature review plus qualitative data-collection via in depthinterviews with 12 (village) health workers, policy makers and key-.informants. RESULTS: Factors at macro-health system, micro-health facility and individual level have been identified. Decentralisation of health authorities with limited decision space, human resource management capacity, expensive living costs and a low proportion of indigenous persons available for the health workforce are the main factors. CONCLUSIONS: Health policies that provide more decision space for health authorities to fine-tune its workforce are needed. Strategies that provide indigenous (village) health workers with education possibilities and absorption in the workforce are outlined. Indigenous health workers can become a valuable link between communities and non-indigenous staff provided that they are well managed and remunerated. Health workforce planning requires localized solutions adapted to the socio-cultural environment.
Authors:
Pas, R. van de
Country:
Indonesia
Category:
Research
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords:
health services
,
human resource management
,
decentralization
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE:
iii, 58
Year:
2010
Region:
Southeast Asia
Right:
© 2010 van de Pas
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
Human resources for health, opportunities and challenges in the Indonesian province of Papua
Training:
Master in International Health (MIH)