International migration of health personnel: A challenge for health systems in developing countries SEA / RC60 /R 9 WHO 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 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 ; 6.to report on implementation of this resolution to the sixty-first Regional Committee.