Human resource inequalities at the base of India's public health care system

Saseendran Pallikadavath; Abhishek Singh; Reuben Ogollah; Tara Dean; William Stones

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.05.003

Human resource inequalities at the base of India's public health care system

Health Place. 2013 Sep:23:26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.05.003. Epub 2013 May 22.

Authors

Saseendran Pallikadavath¹, Abhishek Singh, Reuben Ogollah, Tara Dean, William Stones

Affiliation

¹ Global Health and Social Care Unit, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom. sasee.pallikadavath@port.ac.uk

PMID: 23743004
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.05.003

Abstract

This paper examines the extent of inequalities in human resource provision at India's Heath Sub-Centres (HSC)--first level of service provision in the public health system. 'Within state' inequality explained about 71% and 'between state' inequality explained the remaining 29% of the overall inter-HSC inequality. The Northern states had a lower health worker share relative to the extent of their HSC provision. Contextual factors that contributed to 'between' and 'within' district inequalities were the percentages of villages connected with all-weather roads and having primary schools. Analysis demonstrates a policy and programming need to address 'within State' inequalities as a priority.

Keywords: Health Sub-Centre; Human resources for health; India; Inequalities in health; Primary health care system.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
Delivery of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
Female
Health Care Surveys
Health Workforce*
Healthcare Disparities* / statistics & numerical data
Humans
India
Male
Public Health Practice*