Concerning migration of medical professionals, one key issue we
cannot overlook is the educational and training system for health
professionals in both, develop and developing countries. Western
medicine prides itself of being the most advanced. On doing so, it has
become self-centered and elitist. Medical training and technology are
important western exports. Medical and Nursing schools in many developing
countries were established by former colonial powers or shaped, by the new
independent countries, to reflect what was considered to be ‘civilized and
advanced’. Thus, many of our renowned universities and training
institutions look towards the West for guidance and inspiration. It does
not come as a surprise that, what we have been taught and encouraged to
emulate, is the health care system in the West. To become respectful
professionals -the system reminds us- we have to further ourselves by
pursuing a higher degree in a ‘Western country’.
If we want the brain drain to at least decrease we have to
reformulate training for health professionals in our countries. So far,
our universities graduate health professionals who want to become
successful and respectable by heading the most advanced ‘Cardiac
Transplant Center’ in a country where children continue to die of hunger.
To realize the dream, the newly graduate will memorize western textbooks
and study endless hour preparing for western exams. Once in the West,
Western science and technology will not prepare her/him to the realities
back in the country of origin. Every step of the way, this health
professional is encouraged to become Westernized.
A human being cannot become intellectual property and her/his freedom
of movement cannot be restricted. Thus, both developed and developing
countries together have to address the problems that lead to the brain
drain. I am of the idea that more western health professionals should
come to ‘the south’ and spend at least one year working side by side with
bright and dedicated health professionals in our ‘developing’ countries.
This way we can both learn from each other on a more ‘equal’ ground.
Learning first hand about the realities of the world can help the
West become less self-centered and elitist. I also believe that it is
time for the west to allow for more of its bright young minds to enter the
health profession instead of recruiting health professionals from our
countries. These health professionals should not be underpaid and
overworked as adverse working conditions will lead them to abandon the
carriers they trained for forcing the system to import more ‘brains’ from
the ‘developing world’.
Rapid Response:
Trained to become Westernized
Concerning migration of medical professionals, one key issue we
cannot overlook is the educational and training system for health
professionals in both, develop and developing countries. Western
medicine prides itself of being the most advanced. On doing so, it has
become self-centered and elitist. Medical training and technology are
important western exports. Medical and Nursing schools in many developing
countries were established by former colonial powers or shaped, by the new
independent countries, to reflect what was considered to be ‘civilized and
advanced’. Thus, many of our renowned universities and training
institutions look towards the West for guidance and inspiration. It does
not come as a surprise that, what we have been taught and encouraged to
emulate, is the health care system in the West. To become respectful
professionals -the system reminds us- we have to further ourselves by
pursuing a higher degree in a ‘Western country’.
If we want the brain drain to at least decrease we have to
reformulate training for health professionals in our countries. So far,
our universities graduate health professionals who want to become
successful and respectable by heading the most advanced ‘Cardiac
Transplant Center’ in a country where children continue to die of hunger.
To realize the dream, the newly graduate will memorize western textbooks
and study endless hour preparing for western exams. Once in the West,
Western science and technology will not prepare her/him to the realities
back in the country of origin. Every step of the way, this health
professional is encouraged to become Westernized.
A human being cannot become intellectual property and her/his freedom
of movement cannot be restricted. Thus, both developed and developing
countries together have to address the problems that lead to the brain
drain. I am of the idea that more western health professionals should
come to ‘the south’ and spend at least one year working side by side with
bright and dedicated health professionals in our ‘developing’ countries.
This way we can both learn from each other on a more ‘equal’ ground.
Learning first hand about the realities of the world can help the
West become less self-centered and elitist. I also believe that it is
time for the west to allow for more of its bright young minds to enter the
health profession instead of recruiting health professionals from our
countries. These health professionals should not be underpaid and
overworked as adverse working conditions will lead them to abandon the
carriers they trained for forcing the system to import more ‘brains’ from
the ‘developing world’.
Competing interests: No competing interests