In 2006 the Swaziland Ministry of Health and Social Welfare asked the Capacity Project to conceptualize a database for the health workforce.

The Project formed a stakeholder leadership group, designed a step-solution database, funded data-entry clerks and developed operational procedures.In November 2008, a Capacity Project evaluation found that after direct Project support ceased, a small group continued to improve and transform the system into a valuable management and planning tool. The Ministry and regional HR managers note that the system dramatically strengthens their ability to advocate for HR issues and address workforce planning, deployment, recruitment, payroll, vacancies, retirement, promotions, ghost workers, referrals, scheduling and budgeting.

The system’s output reached the attention of the Prime Minister, who highlighted important vacancy information during the launch of the National Health Policy. Using the database, a European Union assessment discovered a more critical shortage of health workers than previously presumed by the WHO. The Southern Africa Human Capacity Development Coalition, a Capacity Project Associate Award, is exploring possibilities to upgrade the system and further develop HR information systems at the medical councils.

January 2009