HEALTH HUMAN-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL CHINA

China has made significant progress in increasing the quantity of heal th workers in rural areas. Attention is shifting to improving the qual ity of health workers. This article documents several features of heal th workers in rural China. Many have not received formal training to a level implied by their rank and title, and there is no clear relation ship between the skills of health workers and the functions they perfo rm. Many better-qualified personnel have left lower level health facil ities for more attractive employment in higher level and urban facilit ies. A system of professional licensing is currently being considered that will link educational requirements to employment and promotion. T his article outlines some of the issues that should be taken into cons ideration in formulating this system. In particular, licensing may hav e unequal impacts on rich and poorer areas. This article argues that o ther regulatory measures will be necessary if licensing is to be an ef fective mechanism for controlling the quality of health workers, and c ontribute to the provision of affordable health services in both rich and poor areas.