Implementing a digital human resources management tool in the government health sector in Bangladesh: a policy content analysis

Abstract

Introduction In Bangladesh, to address the challenges of ensuring adequate human resources for health (HRH), the government began implementing a digital tool for HRH management in 2017. However, evidence suggests institutionalizing such tools in low-and-middle-income countries is impeded by policy aspects like implementation strategy and poor regulatory framework. Therefore, we aimed to explore factors in the current policy landscape that might facilitate and challenge the implementation of the tool in Bangladesh. Methods We conducted a review of policies related to ICT implementation and human resources management in the health sector in Bangladesh using qualitative content analysis method. Ten policies have been identified, and extensive reading was done to ascertain common themes and patterns. A document analysis matrix was developed to synthesize and help interpret the findings. Results Regarding facilitators, strong upstream level commitments were reflected in the content of policies in terms of setting out specific objectives, targets, timelines, and budget allocation. However, the lack of explicit monitoring strategy and extent of stakeholders’ engagement was not well-defined, ultimately creating chances for impeding downstream implementation. In addition, effective coordination among stakeholders and different HRH and ICT policies could be strengthened. Discussion Findings support the current discourse that national commitment plays a vital role in the integration of ICTs in health services. However, well-defined monitoring strategy and inter-ministry and intra-ministry policy coordination are crucial.

Strengthening health service delivery and governance through institutionalizing ‘Urban Health Atlas’—A geo-referenced Information Communication and Technology tool: Lessons learned from an implementation research in three cities in Bangladesh

“…In the context of Bangladesh, an engaged, multi-stakeholder approach was particularly crucial given the complexity of urban health service delivery involving multiple state and non-state authorities and actors at implementation and policy-making levels [ 36 ]. Indeed, given the pluralistic nature of many urban health systems in LMICs, multi-sector, multi-level engagement around ICT uptake and service delivery planning is essential in efforts to increase equitable access to healthcare [ 18 , 37 ].…”

Strengthening health service delivery and governance through institutionalizing ‘Urban Health Atlas’ - a geo-referenced Information Communication and Technology tool: lessons learned from an implementation research in three cities in Bangladesh

“…In the context of Bangladesh, an engaged, multi-stakeholder approach was particularly crucial given the complexity of urban health service delivery involving multiple state and non-state authorities and actors at implementation and policy-making levels [33]. Indeed, given the pluralistic nature of many urban health systems in LMICs, multi-sector, multi-level engagement around ICT uptake and service delivery planning is essential in efforts to increase equitable access to healthcare [18, 34].…”

Challenges of human resources governance in facing the era of digital-based economic competition

“…We can explain in this section that the study has presented the process and stages of conducting a study looking for scientific evidence to support the discussion of the challenges of human resource governance to facing economic competition in the digital era (Pathak et al, 2013). Talking about challenges, especially in the area of human resource management in a competitive economic era, this is discussing how to use methods and approaches to improve the quality of Indonesian human resources because any progress in the sector without the support of reliable human resources, such efforts are futile (Bhattacharyya et al, 2021). For this reason, the study has carried out a series of steps to search for literature that can complete the discussion of the study of challenges and opportunities in producing human resources in the era of economic competition.…”