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 through evidence gathering in 10 BMGF supported States, namely: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto, and Yobe.

To develop an evidence-based NCO HRH strategy, DGI Consult has conducted a situation analysis of the HRH landscape in each of the 10 states. The HRH situation analysis was guided by a theoretical framework that assessed how the HRH policy, governance arrangement, financing, and political economy drive the effectiveness and efficiency of core HRH management functions in the states.

To assess the HRH situation in each state, an extensive desk review of relevant documents was conducted. After that, stakeholders were 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 five States (Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa, Sokoto and Lagos) to further understand the HRH landscape in the states and the implications for HRH optimization and service delivery.

The evidence gathered from all sources are currently being synthesized to inform the development of the BMGF HRH NCO strategy. The NCO strategy will guide the optimization of existing HRH and ultimately, improve access to quality healthcare services.