Health professionals’ competence for the provision of quality primary health care in Amhara region, Ethiopia

The rate of health professional competence as judged by the health professionals themselves in the study area was very low. The qualitative findings also identified several competence problems. Progressive health professional development in the form of upward and in-service training, provision of licensure/COC exam, and learning in public universities/colleges positively impact professional competence. Therefore, the health and education systems together should strengthening upgrading and in-service training including CPD; licensure/COC exam; optimize the salary and strong regulation of private colleges.