MALACAÑANG has approved a blueprint for the management and development of the country’s human resources in the health sector.
The National Human Resources for Health Master Plan 2020-2028 of the Department of Health (DoH) is in line with Republic Act No. 11223, the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
The master plan, which requires P8.3 billion for the implementation of its eight strategies, cited lack of fully functional integrated human resources for health (HRH) systems including information systems, production and deployment planning, professional development, attractive compensation packages, management and regulation, and sustainable deployment as a “core problem.”
It cited inadequate number of health workers in the health sector, inequitable distribution of HRH, lack of accurate HRH information to guide planning and policy, limited collaboration among stakeholders with multiple roles in the HRH sector, fragmented HRH governance and unclear accountabilities, and lack and poor implementation of policies.
It is also proposed to be included in the National Economic and Development Authority’s medium-term Philippine Development Plan.
Under the memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on Oct. 28, the DoH will lead the master plan’s implementation.
The agency is tasked to work with the Professional Regulation Commission in establishing a national health workforce registry and promulgate guidelines for its efficient implementation.
It shall institutionalize an HRH network and create technical working groups as necessary.
The DoH will also monitor HRH plans of the national and local governments and ensure that they are in line with the blueprint.
It is also tasked to collaborate with the private sector, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
The master plan’s strategic objectives include the installation of systems that will improve recruitment of HRH fit for practice and fit for work and promotion of greater HRH retention in the health sector; creation and sustenance of systems for developing HRH competencies and the careers of health workers to improve productivity and responsiveness; and raising HRH productivity and responsiveness by promoting job satisfaction and motivation at all levels and improve greater HRH retention.
The objectives also seek to strengthen information systems or data on HRH for monitoring, informing decision making, and ensuring accountability, and increase investments in HRH and align investments with current and future population health needs and of health systems
The master plan cited several elements that distinguishes it from the previous master plans, including identifying scenarios in case of public health emergencies and crises and developing assessment criteria that will facilitate the implementation and adaptation of the Masterplan strategies to reflect local situations by local government units.
It is also designed for short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies aligned with UHC Act structures to improve primary health care delivery through health care provider networks.
The plan also incorporated a strategic communications plan, established an accountability framework between and among HRH stakeholders to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of HRHMP implementation. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
