Human Resource Management and the Retention of Workers in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

ABSTRACT The main purpose of the study was to assess the Human Resource Management practices that influence the retention of Health workers in Mulago Hospital, Uganda. The specific objectives were: to analyse the relationship between career development and retention of health workers, to examine the relationship between reward administration and retention of health workers and to establish the relationship between supervisory support and retention of health workers. A case study approach supported by both the quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. One hundred ten was the accessible population of which eighty seven respondents formed a sample. Ninety four percent was the response rate. Key findings were career development; reward administration and supervisory support positively relate to retention of health workers. Conclusions for career development: career development opportunities were taken up, internal health staffs were promoted; staffs were trained recommended by supervisors while staff took personal growth and development serious and staff followed existing work culture. Recommendations included: Form an internal dependent committee to foresee staff related issues, develop a professional development plan and encourage a transparent and timely medical exchange programme for Health workers. Rewards administration; Health staff after getting jobs quit, morale was high on staff, health services in counselling, doctor to patient level improved. Patients received services and staff payments were prompt. Recommendations include: revising salary budgets upwards, forming a legal saving fund and form partnership with other sister hospitals. For supervisory support, the following can be concluded; first medical staff worked for extra hours and solidarity at work existed while health staff had job satisfaction well as integration improved at work and success was linked to extra efforts vested by supervisors on staff.; ensuring good working relationship was the key recommendation.