ArticleHuman resources for health2025
Optimizing the health workforce for Universal Health Coverage: a framework for analysis and action.
Article in Human resources for health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Global, regional, and national impact of epidemic disasters on health workforce equality between 1990 and 2019: An ecological and modeling study.PLoS medicine · 2026Article
- Enhancing Emergency Trauma Management Skills Through Simulation: A Quality Improvement Initiative in Ghana.Cureus · 2026Article
- Digital health maturity models for Human Resources for Health Information Systems in low- and middle-income countries in Africa: A scoping review.Journal of public health in Africa · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe health workforce or human resources for health (HRH) is the bedrock of an efficient healthcare system, and the consequences of HRH shortage are evident in poor health service delivery. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a suboptimal HRH density, far from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 4.45 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 1000 population. Despite income levels influencing HRH density, variations in the number of health workers per capita and their performance highlight the need to optimize HRH within any economic context. This study presents a practical framework for optimizing the health workforce in LMICs, using Nigeria as a case study.
methodsThis research introduces a comprehensive HRH optimization framework derived from a strategic blend of existing frameworks, mainly the International HRH Action Framework, the WHO HRH Assessment Guidelines, and the WHO Health System Governance Action Plan for UHC. The study used a qualitative approach to apply this framework in assessing the HRH challenges and potential optimization strategies in Nigeria using data from a review of relevant documents and key informant interviews at the national and state levels.
resultsThe study reveals a complex HRH landscape in Nigeria, where policies such as Task Shifting and National HRH Policy coexist with challenges in implementation, funding, and political interference. Institutional arrangements show potential for HRH optimization in states such as Gombe and Kaduna but face staffing and funding limitations. Data utilization for HRH decision-making is hindered by integration issues, while political dynamics influence policies and practices, leading to disparities in healthcare access. Challenges in workforce planning, recruitment, administration, and motivation underscore the need for targeted interventions and systemic reforms to optimize HRH density, distribution, skill mix, performance, service coverage, quality of care, and equity of access, crucial for improving healthcare delivery and ensuring equity nationwide.
conclusionAs demonstrated in Nigeria, the HRH optimization framework effectively assesses and plans HRH optimization strategies. LMICs facing HRH shortages can use this framework to identify HRH optimization opportunities within their health systems, leading to improved health service.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.