Vital

News & commentary about the global health workforce

Making Work Safe for Health Workers

During my medical residency, several of my friends stuck themselves with used needles while caring for patients. I remember their anxiety as they waited for the blood tests to arrive that indicated whether they were at risk for HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.

The Promise of Better Health Worker Education with Launch of New Kenya Center

The Kitui Centre of Excellence for Family Planning and Reproductive Health will support local faculty to develop & apply innovative teaching methods.

Open Access: The Only Viable Option for Change

Many people do not have access to a medical or academic library that subscribes to medical journals; even a low $10 document viewing fee is a burden.

Text Messages: An Essential Tool for Reaching Remote Health Workers in the Kenyan Health System

Like many sub-Saharan African countries, Kenya has a severe shortage of health workers, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, which makes it difficult or impossible for people in these areas to...

By Grace Alone

Transitioning “fistula work” is not easy. Treating obstetric fistula is a service by grace alone, especially if you’re a government worker.

Uganda’s Electronic Databases: From Guesswork to Real Data Management

I used to work at the Registrar of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council where I was the custodian of all information pertaining to the Ugandan nursing cadre. I often felt humbled when people, including those from high-ranking organizations, would come to me seeking data.

Computerized Shortlisting Saves Time and Money, Gets Health Workers Where They Are Needed

The Uganda Capacity Program began collaborating to come up with a better way to quickly recruit, process, and hire qualified health workers.

Pfizer Fellow Reflects on Health Huts, Emailing, and Other Lessons Learned in Senegal

When I first came to Senegal, I did not know at all what to expect. I knew it would be a life-changing experience.

Agaïcha's Story

On the sixth day, my uncle took me from the village to the nearest health center, 65 km away. Once we got there, an unskilled health provider pulled the baby out by force. My son was dead. The following day, my torment started: I could not control my bladder anymore.”

Without the User, There Is No System: Harnessing Technology through the eHealth Workforce

When we talk about building strong health systems and the health workers needed to run these systems, we often think about doctors or nurses or community health workers. Just as crucial to health...