Augmentation of Human Resources for Health (HRH): A Critical Step for Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India

Abstract

In pursuance of the Bhore Committee (1946) recommendations, (1) India had established the norms for health human resources which have been revised several times since then. (2) After the launch of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005, further revision of the norms was done. A second Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) was provided at sub-health centres (SHCs), nurses were deployed in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) which opted to conduct deliveries, and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) have been organised in most of the villages.(3) However, shortage of human resources for health (HRH), especially in govt. health institutions, still remains a major issue in India as well as in most developing countries. Hence, World Health Assembly has called upon nations to strengthen health workforce.(4)