To articulate targeted interventions for improving human resource for health (HRH) and optimizing the performance of the existing health workforce in Nigeria, DGI Consult has been engaged by the Bills and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to develop its Nigeria Country Office HRH strategy in 10 focus States, namely: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto and Yobe.

To develop an evidence-based HRH strategy, DGI Consult is conducting a situation analysis of the HRH landscape in each of the 10 states. The HRH situation analysis is guided by a theoretical framework which assesses how the HRH policy, governance arrangement, financing, and political economy drive the effectiveness and efficiency of core HRH management functions in the states. This knowledge will guide in determining how to achieve health workforce optimization and ultimately, access to quality healthcare services. To assess the HRH situation in each state, stakeholders are being interviewed to elicit information on the states’ (a) HRH Policy & HRH governance, financing, and political economy; (b) HRH management and regulation; (c) HRH optimization; and (d) service delivery. Stakeholders’ workshops were also organized in four States (Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa and Sokoto) to further understand the HRH landscape in the states and the implications for HRH optimization and service delivery. Stakeholders at the workshops also articulated promising interventions necessary to improve the HRH situation and optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing health workforce in the states.