We are Responsible For The Shortage of Doctors, Not the Rich Nations

Posted by Prudence on July 26, 2007 · Leave a Comment

In an article from International Herald Tribune published last July 20, the rich nations were blamed for the shortage of doctors, not only in the Philippines, but in all poor countries. As much as 18,000 Filipino doctors leave the country, mostly going to the U.S. to undergo training and eventually, to stay there for good. Even Africa, where millions are afflicted with AIDS and very much in need of medical attention, is being drained of its doctors. It appears that monetary compensation is one obvious factor why a healthcare professional leaves his home country. Another less obvious one is career satisfaction, which some overzealous people think should be second priority to the god, Patriotism. In the end, it is the recruitment of foreign-educated doctors by rich nations that is blamed for this “brain-drain”.

I don’t believe it is the rich nations’ fault that a lot of doctors flock to their countries for training and medical practice. That is like blaming the bakery with the better-tasting bread for another bakery’s loss of loyal customers. Or blaming a more reputable, consistent university for having more incoming freshmen than a college who’s failed to improve itself. The rich nations are short of healthcare professionals and are willing to compensate well those who’d come to its shores to work, which is admirable really because it shows how much they care about their nation’s health and well-being that they’d spend for its survival and maintenance.

And now, contrast this with what is happening in our country.

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