Human Resources for Health

KIT Royal Tropical Institute contributes to universal health coverage (UHC) by conducting research and providing training and advice on policy, planning and management of the health workforce.

More and more countries aim for universal health coverage (UHC) of their populations, which requires a health workforce that is available, accessible and well-performing. Major issues to consider in achieving this are:

  • how do you determine the need for human resources for health (HRH) in view of UHC?
  • how do you ensure that the available human resources are trained and employed in the most appropriate, efficient and equitable way?
  • how do you ensure that health staff respond better to wants, needs and demands of the population?

“All countries can accelerate health gains by investing in and managing their health workforce more strategically.”

Designated by WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated KIT as a Collaborating Center for Human Resources for Health. KIT supports the development of evidence-informed and feasible strategies to improve the access to competent, motivated health staff. We do so by generating evidence,  sharing knowledge and best practices, through training and policy advice.

In our work we focus on doctors, nurses and midwives, but also on allied and auxiliary health workers, community health workers and traditional health practitioners. We believe that strategies should be context-specific and we strive to find solutions that can evolve from and are feasible within the existing health system.

As multiple stakeholders and sectors are involved in the training, recruitment, deployment and management of health workers we work with a wide range of stakeholders, from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Civil Service through labour unions and professional associations, from health training institutes to private and public sector employers, and from health workers to patients and users. By facilitating dialogues between these stakeholders, we aim to support the development of feasible interventions that have a broad support-base and will have a positive impact on the health of the population.

We provide support to policy makers and managers as they develop their plans to implement change. We also support change by building the capacity of stakeholders to assume new roles and responsibilities.

Our Experts

Photo of Marjolein Dieleman

Marjolein Dieleman

Senior Advisor

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Photo of <br>Ingrid Zuleta


Ingrid Zuleta

Health System Strengthening Advisor

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