Need to reform the remuneration system to initiate a system approach to the health sector in resource-poor countries

摘要

Human resources are the most important factor for the function of health systems. Health workers need to be fairly remunerated, but current remuneration systems in low- and middle-income countries (LIC/MICs) in sub-Saharan Africa are often unfair. They are to a large extent based on allowances and per diems from disease-specific programmes (DSPs). They distort the function of the entire system and need to be reformed. This reform has to be part of a shift to a wider system approach to the health sector in many countries. However, such policy change is resisted by those with strong vested interests in current systems.