Challenges for WHO code on international recruitment

Why have a code?

In 2006 WHO estimated that there was a shortage of almost 4.3 million doctors, midwives, nurses, and health support workers worldwide.2 The availability of health professionals varies widely, with developing countries in Africa and Asia having low ratios of staff to population (fig 1⇓). Migration of health professionals from developing to developed countries has exacerbated this disparity.

The debate about the effect of health worker migration on the health systems of developing countries has moved on from an oversimplistic “brain drain” argument, to a recognition of a more nuanced and complex picture.4 5 6 7 However, the argument that we need a more ethical approach to international recruitment that can mitigate any negative effects continues to resonate and has been a driving force in the development of the draft code. Media reports, articles, and online chat rooms continue to spotlight examples of “unethical” recruitment practice.8 9

Recognition has also been …