Study Overview
In this paper, we use data from Indonesia to evaluate whether medical doctors (MDs), nurses, and midwives predict quality of care, and whether quality is associated with child growth. One in three children globally is stunted in growth. Many of the conditions that promote child stunting are amenable to quality care provided by skilled health workers.
Study Results
Increases in the number of MDs and nurses predict increases in the quality of care. Higher quality care is associated with child length in centimeters and stunting. Simulations suggest that large health gains among children under 24 months of age result by placing MDs where none are available. Improvements in child health could be made by increasing the number of qualified health staff. The returns to investing in improvements in human resources for health are high.
Intervention: Ensuring availability of qualified staffing