International migration of health personnel:

A challenge for health systems in developing countries

SEA / RC60 /R 9WHO SEARO

Scope of the problem?

• US has > 50,000 Indian doctors

• In Sri Lanka 28% doctors after specialization do not return

• 65% of Bangladesh newly qualified doctors seek employment abroad

• Nurse migration in Nepal a growing problem

Pull Factors and Push Factors

Pull Factors• Globalization• Free market economy• Attractive living

conditions• High salaries• Changing disease

burden• Shortages of health

staff

Push Factors• Surplus production • Unemployment • Lack of infrastructure • Unattractive work

conditions• Low salaries • Inadequate career

development opportunities

Urges Member States…..

1. to intensify efforts to identify the magnitude of impact of international migration of Health personnel in respective countries;

2. to develop appropriate strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of international migration of health personnel;

3. to frame and implement policies and strategies that could enhance effective retention of health personnel;

4. to use government-to-government agreements to set up health-personnel exchange programmes as a mechanism for managing their migration;

Requests the Regional Director.....

1. to support, establish and maintain, information systems to monitor international movement of HRH;

2. to carryout research on international migration of HRH;3. to support Member States to develop appropriate

policies and strategies;4. to support countries to facilitate dialogue and raising

awareness at the highest levels;5. to include international migration of health personnel as

a priority programme area in WHO’s RB 2010 1011;6. to report on implementation of this resolution to the

sixty-first Regional Committee.