Table 5 Key policies related to professional and personal support

Better living conditions

• Despite not having policy provision, accommodation in rural health facilities is provided upon availability

• Despite not having policy provision, accommodation in rural health facilities is provided upon availability

Safe and supportive working environment

• Health Workforce Strategy, 2008, emphasizes needs for creation of safe and supportive environment for retention of HRH through addressing multiple factors

• Health Workforce Strategy, 2008, emphasizes needs for creation of safe and supportive environment for retention of HRH through addressing multiple factors

Outreach support

• Government has began telemedicine services in limited areas for the rural health facilities, particularly to provide specialized care support from the specialists in DGHS

• Government has started telemedicine services for the rural health facilities

Career development programme

• Provision of selecting one of the three career tracks such as General Health Services, Medical Teaching, and Health Administration

• No specific provisions for nursing career ladder. However, some policies and operation plans have emphasized needs for development of a clearly specified nursing career plan

• Promotion in position and ranking exists

• Government decision to upgrade nurses from class 3 to class 2 has significant impact on nursing career development and also the professional recognition in the national health systems

• Postgraduation training is important for getting promoted in the higher positions/rankings

• Provision of training and access to higher education

• Provision of higher education is reflected in a number of policies

Professional networks

• A number of professional bodies play crucial roles enhancing professional capacities and establishing professional networks between the medical doctors and with other health cadres

• A number of professional bodies exist to enhance professional capacities of nurses and establish networks. These include the Bangladesh Nursing Association, Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Society, Bangladesh Nursing Welfare, and Diploma Nurses Association

• Some of the professional bodies include the Bangladesh Medical Association, Doctors Association of Bangladesh, and SWACHIP

Public recognition measures

• As part of health system strengthening, the government has a provision to reward the best performing health facility, called National Championship Award

• As part of health system strengthening, the government has a provision to reward the best performing health facility, called National Championship Award