Human resources for health There are not enough health workers for the country’s population.
The ratio of health worker s to people is approximately: 0.5 workers to 1,000 people (2009 figures) but WHO recommends: 2.3 workers to 1,000 people.
There are also more health workers in urban areas.
Note, health workers include doctors, nurses and midwives.
In 2009, the Lao PDR Ministry of Health employed 12,422
health workers. Of these workers, 58% were female and
16% were from other ethnic minority backgrounds.
Lessthan 30% of the total health workforce included medical doctors, nurses or midwives with middle-and high-
level education. Overall health worker capacity is reportedly weak due to the poor quality of training. However,
efforts are being made by the government to strengthen health worker education and
increase training opportunities.