Dealing with the Paramedical Workforce: A Case of Al-Mustafa Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: Case Study was conducted to investigate the problem of the shortage or unwillingness of Paramedical staff by Al Mustafa Medical Center. The study presents key research findings regarding the problem facing by Al Mustafa Medical Center and the Global significance of the problem.

Background: Although there is a rapid expansion of health care infrastructure, especially in the private sector healthcare organizations like Al-Mustafa Hospital, yet there is an acute shortage of medical professionals in all healthcare organizations. Al-Mustafa Hospital is facing this problem mainly in its hospitals situated in underdeveloped cities and areas and their small dispensaries but in its main centers too. The health workforce is defined as all people engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance health. The health workforce is the most important input of the health system. The performance of healthcare systems depends ultimately on the knowledge, skills, and motivation of persons responsible for delivering services.

Method: The findings presented are based on in-depth stakeholder engagement using structured interviews with the head of Al-Mustafa Hospital, doctors and Nurses were also engaged to have a better understanding of the problem and it’s reasoned, due to the limited access to patient information, it is difficult to confirm the exact percentage of patients getting affected by the shortage of Paramedical staff in the hospital.

Conclusion: The global and local paramedical and skilled health workforce crisis is colossal and ubiquitous but its effects are certainly worse in third world countries like Pakistan and the country’s underdeveloped areas. The crises are as much as political as a budgetary one. Difficult political decisions should be made. Governments should have the political inclination to recognize the presence and intensity of the crisis, and the pledge to convince their parliaments to approve the huge sums of money needed to tackle the different aspects and the magnitude of and possible solutions for the crises.