Brain Drain: Ghanaian Doctors Going to UK

THE brain drain problem that has bedevilled the country’s health sector is likely to assume alarming proportions following plans by the UK National Health Service to recruit more health professionals from Africa.

A research finding in the UK has recommended that a number of incentive packages be instituted to attract more doctors from Africa.

The study specifically suggested that Ghanaian doctors be recruited because of their diligence and hard work.

The research conducted by the National Health Service of the UK predicted that in the next 25 years, the UK will experience a shortfall of 25,000 doctors.

To address the projected shortfall, the study, which was conducted by Mr Derek Wanless, Chief Executive of NatWest, one of the biggest banks in the UK, further suggested the urgent need to institute attractive packages to recruit more health professionals, especially nurses and other para medical staff. In the UK, a doctor earns at least £60,000 per annum and has numerous opportunities for postgraduate work and for specialisation.

A number of Ghanaian-trained doctors as well as nurses and para medics are working in the UK, other European countries and the United States.

According to the Provost of the College of Health Science at the University of Ghana, Professor A. S. Ayettey, the State of New York alone is reckoned to have close to a 1,000 Ghanaian doctors.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Moses Dani Baah, who confirmed the story in an interview, said the ministry is aware of plans by the UK to recruit a number of health workers from Ghana.

“We have raised the issue at several international and national fora but the authorities in the UK seem adamant with the excuse that we live in a global village, where there should be no restrictions”, he said.

The deputy minister said for instance that at a conference in Geneva, the former Health Minister, Dr Richard Anane, called on the international community to help developing countries to address the problem of brain drain but did not gain favour with many of the delegates at the conference.

“We have been impressing upon them to spare us this agony since we are a poor country”, Mr Baah said, adding that “we have not been able to convince them.” He said it is in this light that the government, in collaboration with the various professional health bodies, has designed a comprehensive programme for better conditions of service for the personnel.

Mr Baah said the proposed draft, which includes a housing policy and reasonable remuneration, have been sent to Cabinet for approval and will soon be implemented.

Other incentives are transportation, especially for health workers in deprived areas and opportunities for all health workers to upgrade their skills.

“We will do our best to keep the few doctors that we have. Obviously, we cannot match the packages being proposed by the UK”. We will rely mostly on the goodwill and patriotism of doctors to provide quality health care for their own people” he stated.