[afro-nets] RFI: Brain Drain and Logistics, IMF, US Recruitment

[Eric A. Friedman <efriedman@phrusa.org>]

RFI: Brain Drain and Logistics, IMF, US Recruitment
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Dear All,

Hello. I work with Physicians for Human Rights, an American NGO,
and am currently working on a paper on the "brain drain" of Af-
rican health professionals, as well as the health sector human
resource situation somewhat more generally. The paper will lead
to advocacy efforts in these areas. We are looking to recommend
and advocate for policies that will help ensure that health sys-
tems in African countries have the numbers of health profession-
als and other health workers that they need, while recognizing
the rights and needs of health professionals to endeavor to pro-
vide their families and themselves a decent living and promising
future.

I am currently looking for information in 3 areas that perhaps
some of you would be able to help me with:

1. Any information on recruitment of African health profession-
als to the United States.

2. Information on how African health professionals learn of op-
portunities in developed countries and migrate to these coun-
tries. My understanding is that health professionals generally
have found already employment in Western countries before mi-
grating to them. Do health professionals learn of these opportu-
nities mostly through advertisements in newspapers, magazines,
and medical journals? Through personal contacts in destination
countries? Through the Internet? Or through personal visits of
employees of recruitment/employment agencies?

Whatever the answers to these questions, is the major provider
of information employment or recruitment agencies ("middle
men"), or is the major provider of information individual hospi-
tals/employers in Western countries?

3. In what ways are restrictions by the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) presently limiting the ability of countries to in-
crease their health budgets (which among other things would en-
able health professionals' salaries to be raised)? How explicit
are these restrictions, and how common are they? Any specifics
examples would be extremely useful.

I greatly appreciate any help with answers to these questions,
or anyone that you might suggest I contact. Many thanks.

Peace,

Eric A. Friedman
Physicians for Human Rights
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: +1-202-728-5335 ext. 303
Fax: +1-202-728-3053
mailto:efriedman@phrusa.org