Disponibilidad y distribución del talento humano en salud y su relación con la mortalidad materna e infantil en Colombia

Introduction. The Health Workforce is an indispensable element for the functioning of health systems; however, its growing deficit and unequal distribution can affect health outcomes such as maternal and infant mortality. Objective. To identify the relationship between the availability and distribution of the Health Workforce and the results of maternal and infant mortality in the Colombian territory. Methods. Cross-sectional correlational study, including data from the year 2022 for geographic analysis by nodes and descriptive statistics for availability and density variables. In addition, ratios of Health Workforce were established. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used between the Health Workforce and the Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Ratio. Results. A total of 609111 technicians and professionals were identified. The highest availability is centered in Bogota (27,6%); while the lowest availability is in Orinoco (1,7%). The availability of physicians and nursing assistants is higher for each nurse; 1,64:1 and 4,36:1 respectively. The highest national density per 10000 inhabitants is held by nursing assistants (76,46) and physicians (20,71). Vichada has the highest density (499,73) and Chocó (68,77) the lowest. A negative correlation was found between the Infant Mortality Rate and the density of physicians and pharmaceutical chemists, as well as between the Infant Mortality Ratio and the density of physicians and pharmaceutical chemists. Conclusions: There is a relationship between the availability of Health Workforce and the reduction of maternal and infant mortality.