While their importance in delivery of health services is well recognised, little attention has been paid to the systematic study of health workforce issues and how it influences health system performance and health outcomes.

The quality, availability and efficiency with which health services are delivered are closely linked to skills, presence, composition and distribution of health workers.

Paying attention to issues concerning human resources for health (HRH) is important for countries like India which hope to make significant progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and greater equity in health.

To provide a deeper understanding of issues concerning HRH in India and relate it to achieving health-related MDG outcomes and equity, the PHFI, in partnership with the World Bank, is conducting a systematic and detailed analysis of HRH in India.