This policy brief was prepared at the request of the Human Resources Directorate of the Ministry of Public Health to inform the deliberations leading to the development of the national strategic plan for the health workforce. It describes the magnitude, the consequences and the underlying factors of the desertion of rural Integrated Health Centres (IHC), District Health Centres (DHC) and some district hospitals considered "difficult areas" by health care staff. It offers three evidence-based options and related implementation considerations to improve access to the priority minimum package of primary health care. This is part of health service delivery for the districts and contributes to the fight against rampant poverty (55% of the population) in rural areas.