Discussion Paper No. 163 of 2014 on Health Professionals in Kenya: Estimation of Minimum County Requirements

Abstract

This study forms part of the baseline information for use by counties as they take up the functions of providing public health care. The study objectives therefore includes determining the minimum number of health professionals required by various counties so that they can perform effectively. To achieve this objective involved computing the minimum number of health professionals required based on the projected population in 2013 and analyzing the supply gap per county. The study uses Kenya’s human resources norms and standards for health service delivery, together with the 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census to estimate the minimum number of health professionals required per county in Kenya. The study uses the already existing norms and standards. The basis for these norms and standards is that the mix of inputs at the different healthcare facility levels should be coordinated. The study found that health professionals’ requirements increase progressively at the various levels. About 508,301 health professionals of different cadres are the minimum requirement nationally at the different levels, with about 429,520 being Community-Owned Resource Persons required at level 1. About 111,321 of these are required in the Rift Valley, which has the largest requirements of the majority of cadres of health professionals, given that it has the largest catchment population, while North Eastern requires only about 25,706. Thus, some facilities are facing very serious shortfalls in some designated health professionals, therefore needing urgent intervention of the government. There is need to establish the optimum skill mix of health professionals per population levels, expand training of health professionals, and address the issue of adequate numbers in the various health professions. Accurate data would help inform strategies for appropriate and cost-effective combination of staff and roles.