PHA-Exchange> Paradox of wealth transfer from poor to rich nations through manpower (4)

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From: "Selassi Amah d'Almeida" 
> Paradox of wealth transfer from poor to rich nations through manpower 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> This is nothing but the truth, and I believe this will continue for a 
> long time till poor countries do something about their economies to 
> retain labour. This issue goes beyond health professionals, because 
> all cadres of trained professionals and untrained citizens are leav-
> ing Africa and other poor countries (I guess) to seek greener pas-
> tures where labour is better rewarded.
> 
> At the 52nd Session of WHO/Africa Regional Office (AFRO) Regional 
> Committee Meeting, Health Ministers echoed their concern about the 
> mass exodus of skilled health personnel from developing countries in-
> cluding Ghana mainly to the more advanced countries. The health sec-
> tor is deemed probably to be the hardest hit by this phenomenon.
> 
> In view of this, Member States requested WHO and the International 
> Organisation for Migration (IOM) to assess the situation in the coun-
> tries as objectively as possible, to determine the magnitude of the 
> problem and report back to the 53rd Session of the Regional Commit-
> tee.
> 
> Furthermore WHO was requested to assist the countries in defining ap-
> propriated evidence-based strategies for retention of skilled health 
> personnel by defining evidence-based appropriated solutions and share 
> with countries. To do that calls for an accurate data on migration of 
> health professional. A number of countries including Ghana were cho-
> sen to pilot the studies, and since November 2002, questionnaires 
> were sent to over one thousand potential respondents (Ghanaian Health 
> Professional in diaspora). As at date less than 0.02% have responded, 
> but we have lost hope. We will do our best to generate enough evi-
> dence to inform policy to at least enable our brothers and sisters to 
> contribute one way or the other in the health care delivery of their 
> various countries.
> 
> By the time, you have finished reading this mail, at least 2 health 
> professionals may be on their way out of their countries to seek 
> greener pastures elsewhere.
> 
> Selassi Amah d'Almeida
> Health Economics Advisor
> World Health Organisation
>> Accra, Ghana
> mailto:sadalmeida at whoghana.org