South Asia

Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction of Nurses in Public Hospitals

Nurses play a crucial and important role in hospitals . Job satisfaction among any profession helps the individuals to perform better. In profes sion of nursing, job satisfaction has supreme importance, as they will perform better which ultimately af fect the condition of patients. The study aim s to examine satisfaction of job ( i.e. salary, working hours and work environment ) among nurses working in public hospitals [from abstract]

Specialist Services in the Indian Rural Public Health System for Maternal and Child Healthcare – A Study of Four States

The present study attempts to examine the role of specialist services in rural public health system of India in the areas of maternal and child healthcare. The study uses primary data collected through a survey of doctors and paramedical staff working at public health facilities regarding availability and quality of the specialist services in gynaecology, paediatrics and anaesthesia.

Rapid Assessment of Health Services in Punjab using a Mixed Method Approach

The out-of-pocket expenditure is quite high in Punjab. Hence, a rapid review of health facilities was undertaken to suggest remedial measures.[from abstract]

Enhancing Public Health Practice through a Capacity-Building Educational Programme: An Evaluation

The Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management, launched by the Govt. of India under the aegis of the National Rural Health Mission in 2008, aims to enhance the managerial capabilities of public health professionals to improve the public health system. The Govt. of India invested enormous resources into this programme and requested an evaluation to understand the current processes, assess the graduates’work performance and identify areas for improvement. [from abstract]

Strengthening Human Resource for Health in South-East Asia: Time for Action and Commitment (Report of a regional meeting, Thimphu, Bhutan, 19–21 November 2014)

The meeting was organized under three themes: (i) rural retention of health workforce; (ii) transforming and scaling up health professionals’ education and training; and (iii) human resources for health in the context of universal health coverage(UHC). [from abstract]

Why Medical Students Do Not Like to Join Rural Health Service? An Exploratory Study in India

Inadequate, inequitable distribution of the medical workforce remains a challenge across the globe, and India is no exception. Odisha, a state in India faces a major shortage of doctors particularly in rural and remote areas. In order to address this challenge, it is essential to understand medical students’ career plans, specialization preferences, choices of job location and sector, and views on working in rural and remote areas.

Regional Strategy on Strengthening Health Workforce Education and Training in South - East Asia Region (2014 – 2019)

The Regional strategy on strengthening health workforce education and training in the South-East Asia Region specifically identifying priority activities to be initiated by WHO and Member countries, will guide and facilitate country initiatives on strengthening health workforce. WHO is totally committed to play the lead role in catalysing the implementation of this regional strategy. [from abstract]

Need For Competency Based Healthcare Management Education In India: Concerns, Challenges And Way Ahead

The paper explores the possibility of conceptualization and introduction of standardized competency based healthcare management education in India. The impression about competency based education in field of healthcare is limited to medical and nursing education. Concentrated efforts are required to develop the same concept in the field of healthcare management as well. [from abstract]

Models for Primary Eye Care Services in India

Blindness and visual impairment continues to be a major public health problem in India. Availability and easy access to primary eye care services is essential for elimination of avoidable blindness. In the current situation, an integrated health care system with primary eye care promoted by government of India is apparently the best answer. This model is both cost effective and practical for the prevention and control of blindness among the underprivileged population. [from abstract]

Primary Health Care Expectations and Reality in Bangladesh: A Sociological Analysis of the Selected Two Rural Areas

This research deals with the expectations and reality of primary health care in Bangladesh and focuses on different
Government and NGOs health care situation in rural areas. [from abstract]

Human Resources for Health in Six Healthcare Arenas Under Stress: A Qualitative Study

Research on “human resources for health” (HRH) typically focuses on the public health subsector, despite the World Health Organization’s inclusive definition to the contrary. This qualitative research examines the profile of HRH in six conflict-affected contexts where the public health subsector does not dominate healthcare service provision and HRH is a less coherent and cohesive entity: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Haiti, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Somalia. [from abstract]

Building Locally Relevant Models for Universal Health Coverage and its Implications for Health Information Systems: Some Reflections from India

This paper speaks to this agenda, and describes an ongoing pilot study from the state of Punjab in India with a focus on the implications of UHC models on HIS. Five key implications on HIS are identified: Expanding basket of services; Population basing of services; Ensuring continuity of care; Resource allocation choices; Monitoring financial protection and costs of care. [from abstract]

Towards an Health Sciences Education Charter: Building an India Relevant Paradigm

It is hoped that this background paper supported by the interactive discussions at the convention will help all of us including the People’s Council of Education to initiate a strong countervailing process and movement which will stimulate a re-thinking in the direction content and relevance of health sciences education in the country making it more relevant to people’s needs and health for All. [from introduction]

Practice of Hospital Pharmacy in Bangladesh: Current Perspective

Although hospital pharmacists are recognized for its importance as health care provider in many developed
countries, in most developing countries it is still underutilized. The aim of the present study was to summarize the
current scenario of pharmacy practices in four hospitals of Bangladesh and to identify the pharmacist’s roles in
these situations. [from abstract]

Health Care Providers’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Induced Abortions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia: A Systematic Literature Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Data

The aim of this study was to identify, summarise and synthesise available research addressing health care providers’ perceptions of and attitudes towards induced abortions in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. [from abstract]

Implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist Program at a Tertiary Care Setting in Sri Lanka: A Developing Country Experience

To study institutionalization of the World Health Organization’s Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) in a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka. [from abstract]

Assessing Post-Abortion Care in Health Facilities in Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Complications of abortion are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, along with hemorrhage, sepsis, and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. In Afghanistan little data exist on the capacity of the health system to provide post-abortion care (PAC). This paper presents findings from a national emergency obstetric and neonatal care needs assessment related to PAC, with the aim of providing insight into the current situation and recommendations for improvement of PAC services. [from abstract]

Improving Health Outcomes and Health Care in India

With India’s low life expectancy largely reflecting deaths from preventable diseases, the most significant gains in health would come from population-wide preventive measures. Access to public health care services varies substantially, resulting in many people turning to private-sector providers who mainly serve those who can pay. [from abstract]

Comparative Study on Health Care System Between Myanmar and China According to World Health Organization (WHO)’s Basic Health Blocks

This paper is a comparative analysis between China’s and Myanmar’s health systems, viewed through the WHO’s six building blocs of health systems: service delivery, health workforce, health information, access to essential medicines, health financing, leadership or governance.

Analysis of Health Sector Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy 2009 of Nepal

The policy on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in health sector of Nepal is formulated in 2009 targeting toward poor, vulnerable, marginalized social and ethnic groups. Gender inequality and social discrimination are a social problem that affect on individual health finally. The main objective of this paper is to critically analysis and evaluates the Government’s strategy on health sector gender equality and social inclusion in Nepal. [from abstract]

Right to Health in Nepal: Commitment versus Challenges

This paper discusses on policy provisions as well as synchronization of Nepal’s efforts on fulfilling its commitment for right to health. [from abstract]

Accessibility of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Services in Nepal

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) services have been proved to be very effective in treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS worldwide. This paper is aimed at whether ART services in Nepal are accessible to people living with HIV (PLHIV) and also tries to explore some barriers to accessibility of ART services. [from abstract]

Community Based Skilled Birth Attendants Programme in Bangladesh; Intervention towards Improving Maternal Health

To review the strength and weakness of a community based skilled birth attendant (CSBA) program in Bangladesh. [from abstract]

Universal Health Coverage Assessment: People’s Republic of Bangladesh

This document provides a preliminary assessment of the Bangladeshi health system relative to the goal of universal
health coverage, with a particular focus on the financing system and related aspects of provision. [from introduction]

Pathways to Progress: A Multi-Level Approach to Strengthening Health Systems

This report synthesises findings from five country case studies from the health dimension of this project, which focus
on maternal and child health (MCH) (Mozambique,Nepal, Rwanda) and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)(Cambodia, Sierra Leone). MCH was selected given its centrality in two of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and its ability to act as a proxy for strengthened health systems.

New Technology and Illness Self-Management: Potential Relevance for Resource-Poor Populations in Asia

The aim here is to explore the extent to which further investment in technology could play a role in the development of an effective and affordable health sector strategy for at least some developing economies. It is suggested that the effectiveness of the approach may be highly dependent on the specific health conditions addressed, the nature of existing health systems and the overall socio-economic and cultural context. [from abstract]

Population, Family Planning and Reproductive Health Policy Harmonization in Bangladesh

Over the past 30 years, Bangladesh has achieved significant economic and human development progress, and demonstrated impressive policy as well as programmatic commitment to lowering the fertility level. However, its future socioeconomic prospects may be hampered by its population growth rate, depending on how quickly the fertility rates decline and at which point they stabilize. [from abstract]

Human Resources for Health in India: Challenges and Way Forward

India faces enormous challenge in human resources for health care delivery system. Geographical misdistribution and urban-rural health worker deficit impedes the progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals. Many rural Indians receive health care from unqualified providers. Rational distribution and retention of qualified providers in rural and remote areas is a daunting task for the government. Little attention is paid in public medical institutions for the real health needs of the community. [from abstract]

Development of a Smartphone-Enabled Hypertension and Diabetes Management Package to Facilitate Evidence-Based Care Delivery in Primary Healthcare Facilities in India: A Formative Research to Inform Intervention Design

Hypertension and diabetes have become a major public health challenge in India. This research work aims to develop a feasible and scalable intervention for hypertension and diabetes, tailored to primary care settings in India. [from abstract]

Factors Affecting the Performance of Community Health Workers in India: a Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

Community health workers (CHWs) form a vital link between the community and the health department in several countries. In India, since 2005 this role is largely being played by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who are village-level female workers. Though ASHAs primarily work for the health department, in a model being tested in Rajasthan they support two government departments. Focusing on the ASHA in this new role as a link worker between two departments, this paper examines factors associated with her work performance from a multi-stakeholder perspective. [from abstract]