HEALTH HUMAN-RESOURCES IN RURAL CHINA

Considerable advances have been made in the development of health huma n resources in China over the past four decades. The principal focus o f health manpower policy has been on increasing the quantity oi availa ble health personnel to ensure that the rural population has access to basic health care services. This goal has largely been achieved, as i ndicated by recent surveys that show the majority of rural inhabitants see a health worker when they are ill (Tang et al. 1994; Henderson et al. 1994). These quantitative gains are documented in Section 1. Sect ion 2 presents evidence which suggests that the quality of doctors in rural health facilities is variable. An examination of the training ba ckgrounds of doctors reveals that many types of health personnel with differing educational backgrounds and competencies have the title 'doc tor'. Some have not undergone formal training at all, yet are permitte d to engage in specialist technical work. In some areas there is a sho rtage oi qualified personnel. The final section suggests policies to e nsure that health personnel of an adequate quality are available in ru ral health facilities.