Current situation of human resource for health and the outcomes of healthcare workforce policies on the healthcare indicators among ethnic minorities

Abstract

A descriptive study was employed by using desk-studyapproach, focused on the reports and policies of the human resources for health in Vietnam, especially for the ethnic minority group. This study aimed to describe the status of the healthcare workforce in Vietnam and some outcomes of implementating the health workforce policies on the healthcare indicators among the ethnic minority group. The results of this study based on the data of health indicators for the period of 2013-2018. The main findings showed that the quantity and quality of the health workforce had increased gradually and also the health status and healthcare services utilization in the ethnic people had improved. However, the health workforce still had an imbalance in both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. While comparing to the general population, the inequity in healthcare services utilization and health indicators of ethnic minorities group still remained. Therefore, the Government and Ministry of Health need to review and develop the specific policies of the healthcare workforce to attract and maintain the health workers in the remote areas for ethnic minorities group. At the local health level, it is necessary to take the initiative in advising on develop the policies of the healthcare workforce; Strengthen the collaboration with all the stakeholders in the policy implementation; Monitoring and evaluation of the policy implementation to suggest the appropriate recommendations and solutions in the upcoming period. Keywords: Health workforce, human resources for health, ethnic minorities, health policy, health care, healthcare service utilization,…