NAVIGATING HUMAN RESOURCE CHALLENGES: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WORKFORCE SUSTAINABILITY OF LADY HEALTH WORKERS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This research investigates the human resource challenges faced by Pakistani Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and examines their implications for the sustainability and effectiveness of community health initiatives, particularly in relation to HPV vaccination awareness campaigns. Through an analysis of 25 semi-structured interviews with LHWs, several critical issues have been identified, including job insecurity, socio-cultural barriers, transportation constraints, gendered workloads, insufficient supervision, and limited involvement in immunization outreach activities. These challenges contribute to employee disengagement, suboptimal performance, and higher turnover rates within the organization. The findings suggest that effective human resource management practices, such as ensuring job security, providing flexible scheduling, and offering structured training and mentorship programs, are vital for enhancing workforce retention among frontline health workers in Pakistan. The study underscores the necessity of addressing these human resource issues to sustain the community health workforce and improve health outcomes in the region.