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NEWS ROUNDUP: Susan Mayor BMA calls on G8 governments to address “brain drain” BMJ 2005; 330: 1466 [Full text]

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BMA's Duty Is To Its Members--'brain drain' Is for Governments

Jay Ilangaratne   (24 June 2005)

Brain Drain and Immigration

Jayaprakash Gosalakkal   (25 June 2005)

BMA's crocodile tears!

Pradeep Mishra   (1 July 2005)

BMA's Duty Is To Its Members--'brain drain' Is for Governments 24 June 2005
Jay Ilangaratne, Founder www.medical-journals.com Send response to journal: Re: BMA's Duty Is To Its Members--'brain drain' Is for Governments	I am aware that many are concerned about the BMA's rather disproportionate interest in "brain drain" and the accompanying suggestions involving immigration control. BMA is a trade union,funded and owned by its members. Hence, its officers and officials have a duty to act in the best interest of its members, irrespective of their country of origin etc. In fact, a large proportion of BMA membership consists of doctors who have migrated to the UK for economic and other personal advantages(like millions of others).Hence, when advancing allegations of "brain drain" and suggesting modes of immigartion control,the BMA may well be impliedly tarring some of its own members--that cannot be right. I believe the BMA has failed to address the so called "brain drain" issue with due sensitivity to its existing members with non-UK origins. I urge the BMA to leave matters involving immigration and welfare of other countries to the respective governments to deal with.The BMA's primary duty is to support its members at times of difficulty and provide reasonable services to its fee-paying members.It is unlikely that many would approve the BMA's increasing tendency to utlise its resources on global socio-political and economic issues when it should be concentrating more on its members. Competing interests: Fee-paying member.
Brain Drain and Immigration 25 June 2005
Jayaprakash Gosalakkal, Consultant Paediatric neurology UHL LE1 5WW Send response to journal: Re: Brain Drain and Immigration	I agree that decisions to emigrate are personal decisions taken by doctors everywhere .The reasons may actually be universal whether it is British doctors migrating to Australia,South African doctors to the UK or Canadian doctors to the USA.One would like to ask whether the publication of this brain drain issue ,difficulty apparently of British trained PRHO'S to find jobs and various changes to Post PLAB regiistratin were coincidental or part of a larger anti immigrant rhetoric in the establishment?.If the cream in the third world find their prospects of a better carrer blocked by such social engineering they may move on to other fields like computer industry etc.Helping to improve the career prospects of the potentiol medical diasopra would bring a more sustained effect on the health of the host countires.Many would actually stay back if they can practise medicine commiseurate to their training Competing interests: None declared
BMA's crocodile tears! 1 July 2005
Pradeep Mishra, Locum Cosultant Physician South Manchester University Hospital Send response to journal: Re: BMA's crocodile tears!	Editor, BMJ. This truly is extraordinary BMA cunning.BMA has an impeccable record of treating its intelligent members of overseas origin with indifference and disdain. It does not even represent its paid ethnic minorities members interest properly and faces legal proceedings at enormous cost brought at its doorstep by its own members.What does its office-bearers think we are?Total idiots.I shall be the first to withdraw my paid membership if BMA indulges itself in these gimmicks.I have not paid a single penny to the Royal Colege since its negative role in stopping the progression of doctors like myself to the specialist register. I wish to carry out a campaign against PLAB test quite soon in many countries.I am totally fed up of medical establishment in the UK (some presided over by upstarts)to tell us what we can or cannot do with our lives.Every human being is entitled to achieve a better prospect in his or her life and moving from one part of the world to another may be one of them.The pain of moving from one's natural habitat is something which must not be taken lightly but this must be an individual decision.I never had any doubts about the double-talk of BMA or any other institution when it comes in dealing with immigrant doctors and I am fully convinced in the old adage'Leopard never changes its spots'. Competing interests: None declared