The human resource implications of improving financial risk protection for mothers and newborns in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background: A paradigm shift in global health policy on user fees has been evident in the last decade with a growing consensus that user fees undermine equitable access to essential health care in many low and middle income countries. Changes to fees have major implications for human resources for health (HRH), though the linkages are rarely explicitly examined. This study aimed to examine the inter-linkages in Zimbabwe in order to generate lessons for HRH and fee policies, with particular respect to reproductive, maternal and newborn health (RMNH). Methods. The study used secondary data and small-scale qualitative fieldwork (key informant interview and focus group discussions) at national l..