Human resources for health strategies: the way to achieve universal health coverage in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Background: It is impossible to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) without an adequate, competent and motivated workforce. Aims: The study aimed to describe how the Iranian health sector has formulated its human resources strategies to achieve UHC. Methods: This was a qualitative study using a conceptual framework approach to content analysis. Primary data were gathered through expert focused group discussions and document analyses. Both transcribed discussions and the selected documents were analysed using in-depth thematic analysis. A conceptual framework from the Global Health Workforce Alliance was used for content analysis and to draft and develop the strategies. The framework suggested five human resources for health (HRH) pathways to achieve UHC aspects structured according to availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality. Results: Thirty strategies were formulated for Iranian HRH. Eleven of the developed strategies were related to the field of education and training, such as development of new required academic disciplines; balancing university admissions based on workforce requirements; and enrolling local students from deprived and underserved areas. Ten of the developed strategies were structured under the workforce accessibility dimension. Conclusions: Strategies for HRH were formulated by adopting a comprehensive, scientific and collaborative approach to ensure alignment with the country's health system priorities and Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health to overcome health workforce challenges.