HR Database
The Human Resources (HR) Database is a tool for health planners and ministry managers to improve management and planning of human resources within health systems and facilities.
It aims to address some of the acute problems that arise as a result of the current shortage in skilled, motivated health workers. This is a worldwide challenge, but is particularly so in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears 24 per cent of the global burden of disease but has only three per cent of the world's health workforce.
It is estimated that another one million health workers are needed in the region in order to meet the Millenium Development Goals.
The HR Database, developed by Health Partners Southern Africa (HPSA), currently consists of two main modules, which can be used either together or separately:
- Module 1: Health Resources Planner (HRPlanner) is a practical tool linked specifically to a project. Its primary purpose is to generate staff establishments in the format required locally in the public sector
- Module 2: Human Resources Administration (HRAdmin) can be used as a stand-alone tool. It enables the effective management and administration of human resources.
To overcome challenges such as resistance to change within existing staff, it is important that the modules are strongly supported at management level and implemented using a top-down approach.