Health workers — the humans behind health care — are the most valuable resource countries have when it comes to fighting disease, improving well-being, and making health systems more resilient.
Global Communities and our partner IntraHealth International, a longtime leader in human resources for health, approach health workforce development and health systems strengthening holistically, so that skilled and supported health workers can provide communities with quality, comprehensive, client-centered care.
We focus on locally-led partnerships that equip governments with tools, systems, and best practices needed to effectively manage, develop, and upskill their health workforce. This investment extends from doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health workers to the essential personnel who keep supply chains and laboratory services running. Our support is designed to help national and local governments independently sustain health workforces and systems that are efficient, resilient, and responsive to the needs of local populations. We also advocate globally for increased recognition of the essential role of health workers through our longtime involvement in the Frontline Health Workers Coalition.
Our Key Approaches
Improving digital public infrastructure.
We specialize in collaborating with local partners to develop or strengthen open source, sustainable digital solutions that strengthen national health ecosystems.
To improve health workforce data systems, we use tools like iHRIS, our open source human resources information software. Governments can use iHRIS to manage workforce distribution, track licensing and training, and verify the accuracy of payroll systems.
Establishing integrated digital payment systems.
We combine our expertise in data science, digital health, and human resources management to create integrated digital payment solutions linked to health worker registries that can be deployed and scaled within health systems to provide efficient and timely remuneration to frontline health workers.
Enhancing health worker education and training.
We support competency-based learning tailored to real-life work conditions. This includes expanding opportunities for clinical practice and digital learning, and fostering regional networks and public-private partnerships that help sustain progress.
Supporting health workforce productivity, performance, and retention.
We partner with governments and health facilities to enhance mentorship, coaching, and performance management systems. Regular feedback helps maintain quality services and gives health workers the clarity and guidance they need to grow in their roles.
Strengthening local leadership and governance capacity.
We work with ministries of health and regional health authorities to expand workforce planning and data-informed decision-making, so systems continue to function independently and effectively.
SUCCESS STORY
iHRIS Health Workforce Information Software
Developed by IntraHealth in 2005 with global and local partners, iHRIS is built on a flexible framework and conforms to a variety of international standards for data exchange. This allows governments, professional associations, and health service delivery organizations to adapt the software independently and for a wide variety of uses. Countries’ applications have included:
- Guiding health facility staffing and improving workforce deployment and distribution
- Establishing registries of community health workers to better integrate them into the formal health system
- Boosting licensing compliance and reducing health worker absenteeism
- Verifying absorption of health workers into national payrolls, including eliminating fraudulent “ghost workers”
- Forecasting hotspots and mobilizing health workers to respond to pandemics and emergencies.
| iHRIS Feature | What It Does | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Free & Open Source | No licensing fees; fully transparent | Cost-effective and sustainable to maintain by local actors |
| Global Deployment | Used in 30+ countries | Proven scalability and adaptability |
| Customizable | Local actors can tailor workflows | Fits unique country needs |
| Interoperable | Integrates with other systems such as district health information, education, payroll | Smooth data exchange and system synergy, extending functionality |
| Advanced Analytics | Dashboards, visualizations, drill-down by geography/time | Data-driven decisions for staffing and planning |
| Predictive Insights (Coming Soon) | Machine learning to forecast health worker burnout/attrition | Proactive workforce management |
30+
Countries using iHRIS to track
and manage their health workforce
and improve access to care
7,046
Nursing and midwifery students benefiting from enhanced training to better prepare them to serve local communities in Mali, Niger, and Senegal
42,000+
Health professional students given school loans to complete their education in Kenya through a public-private partnership to increase the health worker pipeline
$85M
Recovered in salaries going to
“ghost workers” in Mali through
a payroll analysis using iHRIS