Despite various developments in the health sector there are real challenges in the field of human resources for health in India. The human resources for health are plagued by shortages in health personnel where the density of doctors (practicing modern medicine), nurses and midwifes per 1000 population was found to be around two in comparison to around six, seven and eleven in countries like Mongolia, Philippines and New Zealand respectively, in contrast to the average of 4 per 1000 and an acceptable minimum of 2.5 per 1000 (World Health Statistics, 2008). Another major concern is the inequitable distribution of health personnel where the concentrations are more in the urban areas. Less than 10% of doctors practicing modern as well as traditional medicine are available for rural health care and around 72% of Indians reside in rural areas. It is a well known fact that nations can improve health indices by strategically investing in and managing their human resources for health.

The Human Capacity vertical at ICTPH has a mandate to understand the need for innovation for human resources in health in India and create models for development and efficient utilisation of the skills and knowledge of the health workforce. The endeavour is to help increase the professional skills of health personnel as well as to create good working conditions for them so as to optimise their performance. Our mission is to develop the primary health care workforce in India using knowledge derived from research conducted internally as well from all over the world.