Madagascar - Physicians (per 1,000 people)

Physicians (per 1,000 people) in Madagascar was 0.181 as of 2014. Its highest value over the past 54 years was 0.272 in 1995, while its lowest value was 0.087 in 2001.

Definition: Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.

Source: World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.

See also:

Year Value
1960 0.115
1965 0.093
1970 0.097
1975 0.096
1981 0.099
1985 0.101
1990 0.120
1995 0.272
1996 0.107
2001 0.087
2002 0.136
2003 0.148
2004 0.156
2005 0.180
2006 0.171
2007 0.181
2008 0.186
2009 0.181
2010 0.195
2011 0.144
2012 0.143
2013 0.153
2014 0.181

Development Relevance: The WHO estimates that at least 2.5 medical staff (physicians, nurses and midwives) per 1,000 people are needed to provide adequate coverage with primary care interventions (WHO, World Health Report 2006).

Limitations and Exceptions: The WHO compiles data from household and labor force surveys, censuses, and administrative records. Data comparability is limited by differences in definitions and training of medical personnel varies. In addition, human resources tend to be concentrated in urban areas, so that average densities do not provide a full picture of health personnel available to the entire population.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Health systems - the combined arrangements of institutions and actions whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, or maintain health (World Health Organization, World Health Report 2000) - are increasingly being recognized as key to combating disease and improving the health status of populations. The World Bank's Healthy Development: Strategy for Health, Nutrition, and Population Results emphasizes the need to strengthen health systems, which are weak in many countries, in order to increase the effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing specific diseases and further reduce morbidity and mortality. To evaluate health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that key components - such as financing, service delivery, workforce, governance, and information - be monitored using several key indicators. The data are a subset of the key indicators. Monitoring health systems allows the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of different health system models to be compared. Health system data also help identify weaknesses and strengths and areas that need investment, such as additional health facilities, better health information systems, or better trained human resources. Data on health worker (physicians, nurses and midwives, and community health workers) density show the availability of medical personnel.

Aggregation method: Weighted average

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Health Indicators

Sub-Topic: Health systems