Health human resources in rural China

Considerable advances have been made in the development of health human resources in China over the past four decades. The principal focus of health manpower policy has been on increasing the quantity oi available health personnel to ensure that the rural population has access to basic health care services. This goal has largely been achieved, as indicated by recent surveys that show the majority of rural inhabitants see a health worker when they are ill (Tang et al. 1994; Henderson et al. 1994). These quantitative gains are documented in Section 1. Section 2 presents evidence which suggests that the quality of doctors in rural health facilities is variable. An examination of the training backgrounds of doctors reveals that many types of health personnel with differing educational backgrounds and competencies have the title 'doctor'. Some have not undergone formal training at all, yet are permitted to engage in specialist technical work. In some areas there is a shortage oi qualified personnel. The final section suggests policies to ensure that health personnel of an adequate quality are available in rural health facilities.