AFRO-NETS> The brain drain (6)

["J.Niels Rosenquist" <jrosenqu@mail.med.upenn.edu>]

The brain drain (6)
-------------------
 
As long as wages that are an order of magnitude higher are being of-
fered in other countries, educated people will do what is best for 
their family, not their country, and get out.
 
One reason (only my speculation) why Pakistan might develop more doc-
tors than necessary is because those who go abroad often support fam-
ily members back home, thus returning the government's investment, 
albeit in a highly inefficient way.
 
The only way I see for the situation to improve is to have countries 
improve the wages of professionals by whatever means possible. I re-
alize this is a bit of a chicken and egg scenario, yet there are 
changes that can be made, including supported wages from aid money 
and reducing government corruption (which is the largest reason by 
far friends have given me for getting out).
 
Until it is possible for educated men and women to offer their own 
family a better life that at least approaches what can be found in 
the west, I don't see how the situation will change.
 
J. Niels Rosenquist MD/PhD Candidate 
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 
The Wharton School 
Home Phone/Fax: +1-215-893-1565 
Cell Phone: +1-215-519-8228 
Work Fax: +1-215-898-1907
 
Home address:
2020 Spruce St Apt 3R 
Philadelphia PA, 19103, USA 
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