Migration of health workers is a hotly debated issue. It has contributed to shortages of medical staff in many regions of Africa, causing additional strain on already overstretched health systems. This article adresses the issue by discussing key arguments presented in several different published papers on the topic.
Human Resources
Africa: Migration of health workers
Eldis dossier
Ensuring an infectious disease workforce: Education and training needs for the 21st century
Board on Global Health, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
In recognition of the microbial and societal complexities underlying infectious disease control, this report emphasizes that mounting an effective response to infectious disease threats will require multidisciplinary efforts involving all sectors of the clinical medicine, public health, and veterinary medicine communities. Such a multidisciplinary approach must rest squarely on a well-prepared work-force within each of these communities. However, "the number of qualified individuals in the workforce required for microbial threat preparedness is dangerously low....".
Health Worker migration
MedAct Reports
Last year, Medact launched two new papers on the 'skills drain' of health professionals from the developing world, examining the economic, governance and human rights issues that surround this controversial issue. It proposes restitution as a solution and undertakes a comprehensive human rights check.
Health workers sceptical of human resources plan
Radebe H, Business Day, 22 March 2006
Pharmacists in hospitals and institutions have dismissed as inaccurate and lacking in detail measures proposed to improve working conditions and stop medical staff quitting SA.
Ignore the World Bank on health, says minister
Mwai E, The Standard - Kenya
Kenya should ignore donor restrictions and employ health workers needed urgently countrywide, an assistant minister has said. The country needs 10,000 health workers to offer improved services, Health assistant minister Enock Kibunguchy said.
Improving motivation among primary health care workers in Tanzania: a health worker perspective
Manongi RN, Marchant TC, Bygbjerg CI: Human Resources for Health 2006, 4:6
In Tanzania access to urban and rural primary health care is relatively widespread, yet there is evidence of considerable bypassing of services; questions have been raised about how to improve functionality. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of health workers working in the primary health care facilities in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, in terms of their motivation to work, satisfaction and frustration, and to identify areas for sustainable improvement to the services they provide. The primary issues arising pertain to complexities of multitasking in an environment of staff shortages, a desire for more structured and supportive supervision from managers, and improved transparency in career development opportunities. Further, suggestions were made for inter-facility exchanges, particularly on commonly referred cases. The discussion highlights the context of some of the problems identified in the results and suggests that some of the preferences presented by the health workers be discussed at policy level with a view to adding value to most services with minimum additional resources.
Kenya: KNH workers to receive 15pc salary hike
Mwai E: The East African Standard (Nairobi): 7 March 2006
Kenyatta National Hospital, which has over the years solely depended on government budgetary allocations, is now making a huge effort to be self-sufficient. At the same time, KNH chairman, Prof Alfred Mutema, disclosed that the board plans to raise the annual basic salaries for its workers by 15 per cent subject to approval by the Government.
South Africa: More health staff to be recruited
BuaNews (Tshwane), 10 March 2006
Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, has outlined plans to improve the working conditions of health professionals in the province. Presenting the plan to the finance committee of the Gauteng Legislature, Dr Ramokgopa said the department would undertake a series of measures to recruit and retain health professionals in the public health system.
South Africa: State plans more health workers
Khan, T: Business Day (Johannesburg), 10 March 2006
In a bid to overcome the crippling staff shortages facing public hospitals, the health department has proposed doubling the annual supply of doctors, and increasing the yearly supply of new nurses and pharmacists 50%. The proposals are contained in the health department's latest draft of its National Human Resources Plan, released recently by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
The experience of health workers in Tanzania’s primary healthcare services
Human Resources for Health ; Via Eldis
This article from Human Resources for Health outlines the findings of a report on motivation among primary healthcare workers in Tanzania. Despite widespread access to primary healthcare facilities in rural and urban Tanzania there is considerable bypassing of the service. This research looked at the experience of those working in this field to assess how their working conditions could be improved, which would in turn improve the quality of the service for users.