Some possible solutions to the brain drain include a greater investment in more research and policy study about the causes of the drain, educating policy makers about the causes, and a rethink of the nursing profession in relation to compensation. This is according to notes that summarize a 41-message discussion on the brain drain of health professionals from developing to developed countries. The discussion took place on the listserv HIF-net at WHO.
Human Resources
Developing evidence-based ethical policies on the migration of health workers
Human Resources for Health 2003
It is estimated that in 2000 almost 175 million people, or 2.9% of the world's population, were living outside their country of birth, compared to 100 million, or 1.8% of the total population, in 1995. As the global labour market strengthens, it is increasingly highly skilled professionals who are migrating. Medical practitioners and nurses represent a small proportion of highly skilled workers who migrate, but the loss of health human resources for developing countries can mean that the capacity of the health system to deliver health care equitably is compromised.
The interface between health sector reform and human resources in health
Human Resources for Health 2003
The relationship between health sector reform and the human resources issues raised in that process has been highlighted in several studies. These studies have focused on how the new processes have modified the ways in which health workers interact with their workplace, but few of them have paid enough attention to the ways in which the workers have influenced the reforms. The impact of health sector reform has modified critical aspects of the health workforce, including labour conditions, degree of decentralization of management, required skills and the entire system of wages and incentives.
Chemists leaving SA by the hundreds as US group dispenses big bucks
Having difficulty getting an airline booking to the US? The problem may well be that you're standing in line with a small army of pharmacists and their families due to leave SA over the next few weeks. Behind this exodus is Albertson's, a $28bn/year turnover US retail pharmacy group with a staff of 200 000. One of their recruits, Cape Town pharmacist Keith Hughes, will be leaving behind a 20-year career to begin afresh in Delaware. As an "intern" Hughes can expect an immediate $2 000/month income boost.
Developing evidence-based ethical policies on the migration of health workers: conceptual and practical challenges
Human Resources for Health 2003
It is estimated that in 2000 almost 175 million people, or 2.9% of the world's population, were living outside their country of birth, compared to 100 million, or 1.8% of the total population, in 1995. As the global labour market strengthens, it is increasingly highly skilled professionals who are migrating. Medical practitioners and nurses represent a small proportion of highly skilled workers who migrate, but the loss of health human resources for developing countries can mean that the capacity of the health system to deliver health care equitably is compromised.
TB WORKFORCE CRISIS A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO GLOBAL TREATMENT SUCCESS
A growing "workforce crisis" is a serious obstacle to achieving targets for global tuberculosis control set for 2005 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Faster and more effective recruitment and training of TB health workers is needed to ensure vacancies in developing countries are filled quickly, says a draft report written by TB experts. Of the 22 high burden countries (HBCs) which account for 80% of the world's TB cases, 17 reported that their efforts to reach the 2005 targets are being hampered by staffing problems.
The first world's ROLE IN THE THIRD WORLD BRAIN DRAIN
We in the third world are rarely willing to admit to our "third worldliness." We aspire to first world standards, and the things we want more than anything else are hotels of international standard, a well reputed university, and, in particular, good medical and nursing schools. We are greatly gratified by the recognition of our graduates as being of international standard - "Our doctors and nurses are as good as any others" - but there are difficulties with this. As soon as a country produces graduates of an acceptable international standard then it is "fishing in the same pond" as first world countries for their services. It is inevitable that doctors and nurses will be attracted to countries where salaries or working conditions are seen as better, says this article in the British Medical Journal.
Promoting Behaviour Change in Botswana: An Assessment of the Peer Education HIV/AIDS Prevention Program at the Workplace
Botswana has the highest rate of HIV prevalence in the world and AIDS has now reached crisis proportions in the country. Among the initiatives implemented as a response to promote sexual behaviour change, is the Peer Education HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (PEHAPP) at the workplace. This paper assesses the impact and outcome of the PEHAPP. It concludes that the PEHAPP is having a measurable positive impact in the key areas of improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to risky sexual behaviour which, in turn, should reduce the incidence of transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STDs over the long-term.
BRAIN DRAIN HITS ZIMBABWE'S HEALTH SERVICE
Zimbabwe's brain drain has hit the medical profession particularly hard. More than 80% of doctors, nurses and therapists who graduated from the University of Zimbabwe medical school since independence in 1980 have gone to work abroad, primarily in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, according to recent surveys.
HIV/AIDS AND WORKERS RIGHTS: UNDERSTANDING THE issues
This paper from Norwegian Church Aid states that established workers' rights are often not followed when facing an HIV positive employee and therefore need to be given a renewed focus. This report concludes that workers are seldom aware of their rights, and are therefore easy victims for unjust treatment from their employers. Workers' rights seldom regulate work in the informal sector. It is probably in this sector that we find the poorest of the poor, often at high risk of contracting HIV. And when infected, they have few or no possibilities of access to proper health care, and only very rarely access to any kind of social welfare.