The brain drain i am referring to is the idea that there is currently a significant increase in the migration of highly skilled and higher educated caribbean natives to more developed. Journal of sustainable development in africa volume 14, no. Statistics on subsaharan africas brain drain and migration are often confusing and contradictory. This approach enabled both nationwide and international coverage and thus ensuring comprehensive representation of the picture regarding the full scope of zimbabwes brain drain.
Section 4 discusses a few relevant issues that, in our opinion, deserve the attention of scientific research. In part this is because of the relatively large percentages of. Benhura and magejo studied about 10 000 documented zimbabwean citizens, living in south africa in 2001 and found that mainly primeaged workers came to south africa in search. Zimbabwe suffered a substantial brain drain between 1995 and 2008 and we decided to look at the reasons why skilled workers were leaving the country, says magejo. An economic perspective on malawis medical brain drain. All the signs point to the existence of a growing exodus of skilled zimbabweans from the country. The impacts of the brain drain phenomenon include its adverse effects on a countrys prospects for technological advancement, its numbing effects on politics and governance in the emigrants home country, and its ghastly effects on the provision healthcare. Migration and brain drain find, read and cite all the. The medical brain drain has been described as rich countries looting doctors and nurses from developing countries undermining their health systems and public health.
The nature, extent and impact of the brain drain in zimbabwe. Understanding the braindrain in the african diaspora. Nigeria, egypt, morocco and zimbabwe have also been affected. We first assess the magnitude, intensity and determinants of the brain drain, showing that. Brain drain is usually regarded as an economic cost, since emigrants usually take with them the fraction of value of their training sponsored by the. While the brain drain has long been viewed as detrimental to poor countrys growth. Basically, african countries are funding the education of their nationals only to see them end up. Although the precise dimensions and impacts of this brain drain have yet to be determined, the zimbabwean government has recently sought to stem the tide with various policy measures. Section 4 discusses a few relevant issues that, in our opinion, deserve the attention of.
Analysis and assessment of the brain drain phenomenon. The zimbabwe national association of social workers estimates that 1,500 of the countrys 3,000 trained social workers left for the united kingdom over the past 10 years. Takupiwa mukayi nyanga zimbabwe from econ 360 at nova. April 2008 abstract we build upon recent literature to do several exercises to assess benefits and costs of the brain drain to africa. The second is a migration of skilled workers from central and southeastern europe into western europe, within the eu. Specific policy measures to effectively address the brain drain incidence in. Brain drain or human capital flight is a large emigration of individuals with technical skills or knowledge, normally due to conflict, lack of opportunity, political instability, or health risks. Apr 14, 2015 discussions of africas brain drain have focused on the health sector, and in particular, doctors. In 1997 only, more than 1,000 professionals left zimbabwe. Brain drain is defined as the migration of skilled human resources in search of the better standard of living and quality of life, attractive salaries, worldclass education, opportunities for career advancement, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions in different places worldwide sunita dodani and ronald e laporte, 2005. This paper attempts to answer this very question through examination of what is meant by brain drain, followed by analyzing the hard facts, significance and consequences for the continent. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with an indepth analysis of the brain drain phenomenon and its implications for caribbean countries. The brain drain will continue to give rise to poor leadership and corruption in nigeria, unless nigerians in the african diaspora especially in my generation decide to lend a helping hand to our beloved country.
The brain drain in africa yaw nyarko introduction increased attention has recently been paid to the phenomenon of the brain drain of skilled and often unskilled africans from their home countries to countries in the west. The causes and impact of the brain drain in institutions of higher. The advantages of brain drain are usually advantages of an individual. Contrary to a lot of the worries expressed in the media and in. Impact assessment on health service delivery and examination of policy responses. We first assess the magnitude, intensity and determinants of the brain drain, showing that brain drain or highskill migration is becoming. This format was designed to ensure that the study got to the bottom of the cause and effect of brain drain in. Aug 01, 2005 these days, there is a far more significant sucking sound, one that concerns the whole world and one that could impede collective efforts to make poverty history. Addressing human capital needs for post crisis zimbabwe s capacity building abstract the concept of brain drain has been debated for decades and is a worldwide phenomenon. Invest in the rebuilding of universities and research centres in africa. Human capital flight in europe fits into two distinct trends.
Reassessing the impacts of brain drain on developing countries. Pdf on mar 1, 2012, pieter janse van vuuren and others published zimbabwe. Contrary to a lot of the worries expressed in the media and in aid agencies, the brain drain is. This research followed a case study research design rooted in qualitative research approach.
This format was designed to ensure that the study got to the bottom of the cause and effect of brain drain in zimbabwe. Since zimbabwes independence from great britain in 1980, the country has been tightly controlled by president robert mugabe and the ruling zimbabwe african national unionpatriotic front zanupf, which is known for severe repression and continuing violations of human rights. Analysis and assessment of the brain drain phenomenon and. Hence it is not surprising that we fail to identify any. In the african context, the notion of brain drain is used to cap ture the dilemma facing. Medical brain drain has become one of the contributing factors leading to the continuous deterioration of the health sector of zimbabwe. Effect of brain drain to africa this twentyfirst century. In section 3 we describe existing evidence on the impact of brain drain on source countries. Before all this, the health sector of zimbabwe was considered as one of the best in the african continent. Alongside positive feedback effects from remittances, circular migration, and the participation of highskilled migrants in business networks, innovation, and transfers of technology, consider the effect of figure 2. Zimbabwes health sector has been badly affected by the brain drain, with. Dec 18, 2006 the medical brain drain has been described as rich countries looting doctors and nurses from developing countries undermining their health systems and public health.
Mar 31, 2008 3 brain drain has a positive effect on skill accumulation that appears to offset one for one the loss of skills to the brain drain. William easterly and yaw nyarko new york university july 2007 rev. The brain drain in zimbabwe is based on the global phenomenon associated with mans quest for better opportunities in life. The overall objective of the study was to profile the skills of zimbabwean health workers in the diaspora with the aim of assessing the extent and nature of health. Implications for sustainablen development in zimbabwe. Its ongoing increase has evoked widespread calls for policy responses. From brain drain to brain gain scholarlycommons university of. Brain drain of health professionals in zimbabwe brain drain is described in the work of lowell and findlay 2001 as something that can occur. Ipinyomi, university of ilorin, nigeria by brain drain we are referring to an international transfer of resources in the form of human capital that is not recorded in any official balance of payments statistics. Brain drain has reached alarming proportions in african countries, with ethiopia ranking first in the continent in terms of rate of loss of human capital. There are those who complete their education in africa and then migrate for a variety of reasons.
Brain drain is also simply described as human capital flight. The phenomenon refers to the departure of highly skilled individuals from organizations, industries, and. Brain drain in zimbabwe with one of the highest levels of literacy in africa, zimbabwe is well placed to develop brains that ca n be drained. Nov 11, 2007 posts about brain drain written by cm. The number of highest brain drain is coming from haiti which has lost 80% of educated and skilled workers. An analysis of the cause and effect of the brain drain in. Swot analysis of the zimbabwean brain drain problem. The brain drain from developing countries a brain drain can also have benefits for home countries.
Brain drain helps the individual more than the society. An analysis of the cause and effect of the brain drain in zimbabwe. However this braindrain might also be seen as a success in the training and export of health professionals and the benefits this provides. Commentary, report by canadian journal of public health. This article examines the migration of health professionals from zimbabwe in.
Alongside positive feedback effects from remittances, circular migration, and the participation of highskilled migrants in business networks, innovation, and transfers of. Health and education sectors have been the hardest hit by the brain drain, which has paralysed schools and hospitals. A 2011 study from the british medical journal calculated the cost of human capital in economic. Although the precise dimensions and impacts of this brain drain have yet to be determined, the zimbabwean government. The brain drain of professionals has now become a major concern in developing countries, especially in zimbabwe, in particular.
That new sucking sound is being made by highly skilled people leaving developing countries and heading to the developed world. African brain drain and its impact on source countries. The first is an outflow of highly qualified scientists from western europe mostly to the united states. If the zimbabwe government does not do something to make staying at home more attractive and rewarding, the brain drain will continue unabated. Drain with a specific emphasis on developing countries in africa and on academic labour in the uk. Nevertheless, there is general agreement on the trend lines. Chikanda 2004 used the 2002 findings to assess the impact of the migration of skilled health workers on zimbabwe s health sector and to make some policy recommendations. The brain drain phenomenon can only be overcome if africa builds a research infrastructure that enables. Abstract the brain drain of professionals has now become a major concern in developing countries, especially in zimbabwe, in particular.
The concept of brain drain was first used by the british royal society to describe a. The term brain drain designates the international transfer of human resources and mainly applies to the migration of relatively highly educated individuals from developing to developed countries. Iom zimbabwe migration papers n1 the impact of the brain drain. A 2011 study from the british medical journal calculated the cost of. In part this is because of the relatively large percentages of skilled africans going abroad. Introduction the purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with an indepth analysis of the brain drain phenomenon and its implications for caribbean countries. Chigamas anthology examines effects of brain drain in zim. Although the estimates reported in the study are on the lower side than expected, they have significantly improved our knowledge of the trends and the reasons behind the brain drain in zimbabwe. It focuses on solutions that have been proposed and implemented in the past and then propose a more promising solution.
Health care industry health, general government brain drain health aspects medical personnel physiological aspects workers. According to the cambridge dictionary 20 brain drain is defined as the situation in which large numbers of educated and very skilled people leave their own country to live and work in another where pay and conditions are better. However this brain drain might also be seen as a success in the training and export of health professionals and the benefits this provides. This paper illustrates the arguments and possible policy options by focusing on. What are the advantages and disadvantages of brain drain. The main objectives were to find out the attitudes of teachers and students towards the remediation exercise in. Gwinji said that the decision to enrol more students for nursing training was necessitated by. Apr 29, 2010 health and education sectors have been the hardest hit by the brain drain, which has paralysed schools and hospitals. A study by canadian scientists found that south africa and zimbabwe suffer the worst economic losses due to. It appears that the brain drain or the human capital flight from countries in the region continue to rise. Zimbabwe loses 45,000 teachers to brain drain david coltart.
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