How can we reduce the Global Workforce Shortage and Save Lives in Low-Income Countries?

Posted September 18, 2014

In October, Mandy Moore joins PSI and IntraHealth International in Tanzania to experience a week in the life of a health worker. In advance of her trip, we began a conversation about health workforce challenges and solutions. Together we’re asking some big questions about the future of health workers. And we ask you – our Impact readers and important members of the global health community – to weigh in on the conversation. Leave your response in the comments for this post or reply directly to Mandy via Twitter and we may add your response below! (see all seven questions)

Question 4: There is a shortage of 7.2 million health workers globally. How can we reduce the shortage and save lives in low-income countries?

I’m asking 7Qs for #healthworkerscount w/@PSIimpact. Q4: What’s the 1st step to fill the worldwide 7.2M #healthworker shortage?

— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) September 22, 2014

@TheMandyMoore @PSIimpact not sure is an issue when there is a shortage but having the right person at the top is essential to success — Esther Cole (@coleet2000) September 23, 2014

@TheMandyMoore @PSIimpact subsidized loans / reduced tuition

— Case (@leonina) September 23, 2014

@TheMandyMoore @psiimpact 1 step- need better data/recognition of community #healthworkers. More http://t.co/OxSZ5FZ4l8 #healthworkerscount — FHWC (@FHWCoalition) September 25, 2014

@TheMandyMoore @PSIimpact Pay is number one and identifying burnout or compassion fatigue we lose allot form that we need to help retain

— Esther Cole (@coleet2000) September 22, 2014

@TheMandyMoore @PSIimpact affordable schooling & adequate pay for those jobs — Holli DeWees (@hollidewees) September 22, 2014

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How can we reduce the Global Workforce Shortage and Save Lives in Low-Income Countries?

Question 4: There is a shortage of 7.2 million health workers globally. How can we reduce the shortage and save lives in low-income countries?

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The Consumer as CEO

Digitalizing contraceptive counseling to reach rural women and girls in Ethiopia

Building community health worker capacity to deliver malaria care

Taking a market-based approach to scale sanitation in Ethiopia

Promoting self-managed care like Self-testing and Self-Sampling

Using peer coaches to counter HIV stigma in South Africa

simplifying consumers’ journey to care in Vietnam

Engaging the private sector for disease surveillance in Myanmar

Training health workers in Angola

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