African Doctor Brain Drain
A new study shows that the “brain drain” of African doctors moving abroad to more developed countries may be worse than previously believed.
The study was done by the the Center for Global Development in Washington and looked at census records collected between 1999 and 2001. A recent BBC News piece details some of the core findings:
Several countries, including Mozambique and Angola, have more doctors in one single foreign country than at home.
And for every doctor in Liberia, there are two working abroad….
The report suggested the loss of doctors often went hand-in-hand with civil strife, political instability and economic stagnation.
The piece displays this chart, documenting the % of doctors in the following countries that move abroad:
| NUMBER OF DOCTORS ABROAD |
| Mozambique – 75% |
| Angola – 70% |
| Ghana – 56% |
| Kenya – 51% |
| Rwanda – 43% |
| Sudan – 13% |
| Niger – 9% |
The charity ActionAid said the brain drain was “a huge threat” to Africa.
“One of the best way to keep healthcare professionals in the countries that need them is to pay them properly – but currently health systems in many African countries are woefully underfunded,” said Nick Corby, policy officer at the charity.
“The UK government could do Africa a real service by upping aid levels for health systems, ensuring that desperately needed doctors and nurses stay where the need is greatest.”
Read the full BBC News piece here.
-Virginia Simmons
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January 14, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I wrote the study in question and I think the BBC piece just got it wrong. I explain why here:
http://blogs.cgdev.org/globaldevelopment/2008/01/media_reports_on_african_brain_1.php
January 15, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Thank you for writing in Michael! I just saw this and am about to head out to an half-day commitment, but I’ll put up a post about this as soon as I can. Please know I’d love for you to submit posts to the ONE Blog anytime. (I’ll shoot you an email.)
May 13, 2008 at 1:01 pm
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January 19, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Hello fellow ONE member,
I appreciate Bono speaking out on behalf of the worlds poor and sick. Don’t forget that the number one question asked Obama was “Will you legalize marijuana?”. Think about the benefits that medical cannabis can have on the millions of suffering Africans. I am very disturbed when I hear that UN Police are using international aid money to persecute cannabis growers in Africa and destroy such an important beneficial crop. Bono has enormous influence on UN leaders, and some of the world’s most powerful people. Please don’t think for a moment that by removing cannabis the UN is in any way helping the poor people of Africa or any other continent. This is a grave injustice, and I’m sure the sick and dying Africans effected by such laws would agree. The cannabis plant can help to provide food, clothing, shelter, safe medicine, and eco-friendly fuel. If the One Campaign really wants to help the poor, we should let them grow hemp, and if we must get involved, help them succeed in taking advantage of the many benefits of the hemp industry.
I hope Bono keeps up the good work, and helps to stop the bad work.
Thanx. www.nycamp.org
October 8, 2010 at 6:35 am
Brain Drain in Africa wouldn’t be a problem if the governments didn’t siphon off aid money that were supposed to go towards medical facilities.