Publication: Human Resources for Cardiovascular Disease Management in Nepal: A National Need Assessment
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Human resources are the mainstay of the healthcare system. Higher numbers of
health workers have better healthcare coverage and outcomes. Availability of trained
human resources to address the exponential rise in cardiovascular disease in Nepal
is a national concern.
Objective
To assess the need of human resources for cardiovascular disease management in
Nepal.
Method
We conducted an exploratory sequential mixed-method study. We developed a task
force and organized a national workshop to engage stakeholders and collect feedback
on the research process. We did a desk review and conducted 24 key informant
interviews. We did thematic analysis from the codes generated.
Result
There is no clear definition and required estimation of health workers for
cardiovascular disease management. There is a shortage of health workers with
8.9 doctors, 20.8 nurses, 0.05 cardiologist/cardiac surgeon, 4.2 pharmacist, 10.2
laboratory technicians per 10,000 population. There is a comprehensive human
resource plan but it does not provide details of human resources for cardiovascular
disease management. There is a lack of public private collaboration for human
resource management. However, there is production of human resources for
cardiovascular disease management through pre-service specialized courses and in-
service training.
Conclusion
A clear definition and estimation of health workers with stringent human resource
plan for cardiovascular disease management is essential. The government can still
address these gaps by establishing a well-equipped central health workforce unit and
expanding collaboration with private sectors.
KEY WORDS
Cardiovascular diseases, Human Resource for health, National need assessment,
Nepal
Description
Thapa B,1,2 Sharma S,2-4 Shrestha A,5-8 Maharjan R,2,6,9 Jha N,6 Bajracharya S,6 Shrestha S,6 Neupane T,10 Sapkota BP,11,12 Koju RP,13,14 Oli N15
1Department of Nursing, Tribhuvan University,
Institute of Medicine, Nepalgunj Nursing Campus,
Banke, Nepal. 2Fellow, TREIN Nepal, Kathmandu
University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel,
Kavre, Nepal. 3Department of Nursing, Kathmandu
Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu,
Nepal. 4Faculty of Health, Queensland University
of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 5Department of
Public Health and Community Programs, Dhulikhel
Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel,
Kavre, Nepal. 6Department of Community Programs,
Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital,
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal. 7Department of Chronic
Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health,
New Haven, USA. 8Institute for Implementation
Science and Health, Kathmandu, Nepal. 9Department
of Nursing and Midwifery, Kathmandu University
School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
10Nepal Health Research Council, Kathmandu, Nepal.
11Health Coordination Division, Ministry of Health
and Population, Kathmandu Nepal. 12CIH-LMU
Center for International Health, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, Germany. 13Dean, Kathmandu
University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel,
Kavre. 14Department of Internal Medicine, Dhulikhel
Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel,
Kavre. 15Department of Community Medicine,
Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital,
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Keywords
Cardiovascular diseases, Human Resource for health, National need assessment, Nepal