Health worker resourcing to meet universal health coverage in Africa

Nursing and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Scoping Review

“…In circumstances where nurses are able to recognize their responsibility toward the SDGs, this is largely focused on SDG 3. SDG 3 is often understood as the easiest for nurses to connect to given its clear link to health (Rosa, Dossey, Watson, Beck, & Upvall, 2019); moreover, scholars acknowledge nurses are central to the achievement of SDG 3 (Cerf, 2019; Gresh, Mena‐Carrasco, Rauh, & Pfaff, 2017). Where a nurse gives focus to SDG 3 only, however, they have been labeled by some as “short sighted” (Rosa, Kurth, et al, 2019, p. 637).…”

“…The same research called for a global response to health workforce numbers. Building on this, Cerf (2019) suggested that highly educated health workers, including nurses, should undertake global rotations to educate and mentor others and improve the standard of health care. An opinion paper, however, argued that rather than nurses from high‐income countries mentoring those from low‐income countries, partnerships should be formed to prevent power imbalances and move from a model of capacity building to one with collaboration and that aligns with SDG 17: partnership (Premji & Hatfield, 2016).…”

“…It is not necessarily more nurses in the profession that are needed to meet universal health coverage, but improved education, motivation, and support, all contributing to quality nursing care and the pursuit of SDG 3 (Ajuebor et al, 2019; Cerf, 2019; Upvall & Luzincourt, 2019). This was emphasized in low‐income countries, where nurses “are undertrained and inadequately prepared” to meet the needs of people in their care (Uwizeye et al, 2018, p. 193).…”

“…The strategic direction acknowledges that simply increasing the number of nurses globally is not the solution (WHO, 2016). The argument for an increase in the quality rather than quantity of nurses was reflected in the literature, with several papers arguing that growing the number of nurses without providing support, education, and motivation was not conducive to a move toward universal health coverage (Ajuebor et al, 2019; Cerf, 2019; Upvall & Luzincourt, 2019).…”

The Indonesian Strategy to Achieve Universal Health Coverage through National Health Insurance System: Its Challenges in Human Resources

“…The main challenge of providing health insurance cover age in low-middle-income countries such as Ghana, Myanmar, and Indonesia is the unequal presence of health service providers, especially in the poor and remote areas. [23][24][25] Special attention should be given to directing enough workforce to eastern Indonesia, considering that the number of workers and facilities is still insufficient. Another challenge for the NHI in urban areas is the high number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer that cost relatively large amounts of money.…”