AFRO-NETS> Africa's political leaders facilitate brain drain of health professionals

[A Odutola <chpss_abo@yahoo.com>]

Africa's political leaders facilitate brain drain of health professionals
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The story below provides insight into how and why Africa's po-
litical leaders contribute to the "push" factors of brain drain 
of health professionals from their respective countries. What 
policy recommendations are there to offer leaders like President 
Museveni in this matter?
 
A. Odutola
mailto:chpss_abo@yahoo.com
 
 
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Museveni says he doesn't trust his own doctors
 
Mail & Guardian
Published 10/06/03
 
Kampala, September 6, 2003 -- Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni 
Sunday defended the widely-criticised use of his presidential 
plane to fly his daughter and daughter-in-law to Germany to give 
birth, saying the decision was based on security considerations.
 
In comments published in two English-language newspapers, 
Museveni wrote that he feared that some local doctors with parti-
san political leanings might harm the two women.
 
"It is true that I sent the presidential jet to deliver part of 
my family to Europe so that my daughter and my daughter-in-law 
could deliver their babies as they were scheduled to do so around 
the same time," Museveni said.
 
"The problem with the medical system in Uganda is that some of 
the doctors are partisan -- mixing their political affiliations 
with their professional duties -- and unethical, but overall 
Uganda has a deservedly high reputation for its doctors," he 
added.
 
"The question of myself and my family getting medical check-ups 
or treatment abroad, where necessary, is unavoidable. It is part 
of our survival strategy... in order to continue to fight for our 
country," said Museveni.
 
He said that he had paid for the trips and hospitalisation of his 
daughter and daughter-in-law in Germany last month contrary to 
claims by critics that the decision to have the president's 
grandchildren born in Germany had cost Ugandan tax payers 90,000 
dollars (77,000 euros).- AFP 
 
Source: 
Mail & Guardian Online, South Africa. Reproduced as "fair use" 
http://196.2.63.80/Content/l3.asp?ao=21489
 
Copyright: 2003. Mail&Guardian.

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