Bibliography

Theme area
Human resources for health, Governance and participation in health
Author
Dovlo D
Title of publication Taking more than a fair share? The migration of health professionals from of health professionals from sub-saharan Africa: the pivotal role of the poor to rich countries
Date of publication
2005 May
Publication type
Journal Article
Publication details
PLoSMedicine 2 5 pp e109
Publication status
Published
Language
English
Keywords
Health workers, migration, sub-Saharan Africa, equity
Abstract
The migration of physicians and other trained health professionals undermines the ability of developing countries to meet agreed Millennium Development Goals and creates untenable health conditions for the poorer sections of their populations, according to this paper. Developing countries on their own cannot achieve effective moderation of migration and secure the integrity of health services without the cooperation and collaboration of the countries that receive their health workers. An international regimen is needed to manage and moderate the migration of health workers in order to minimise the deleterious effects this has on underdeveloped countries. Developing countries, on the other hand, need to evolve strategies that reflect their internal needs. This must include designing cadres of health professionals that are trained mainly for the purposes of local needs and are less prone to the attractions of migration. Countries have different experiences, and each country must develop strategies that reflect the needs of their particular situation. However, the authors caution that the appropriate international environment for managing human resources is necessary if the strategies of developing countries are to achieve meaningful results.
Country
Publisher
PLoS