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

["Selassi Amah d'Almeida" <sadalmeida@whoghana.org>]

Paradox of wealth transfer from poor to rich nations through manpower (4)
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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
29 Volta St., Airport Residential Area
P.O. Box MB142
Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233-21-763918/9
Fax: +233-21-763920
mailto:sadalmeida@whoghana.org
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