Anwar Islam.
International migration of human resources for health: challenges for developing countries.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;2(1):59-65.

Based on secondary data, the paper critically reviews the push and pull factors associated with international migration of highly skilled human resources for health primarily from developing to developed countries and its impact on health systems. Given the severe scarcity of highly trained human resources for health in developing countries and greater migration of such resources due to globalization, the issue has attracted wide attention. However, it is apparent that most scholars put primary emphasis on “pull” factors in explaining migration of highly skilled human resources for health. Most efforts made by such organizations as the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the International Organization of Migration also seemed to have put more focus on pull factors. The paper argues that “push” factors are often more important in determining migration than pull factors. It is critically important to better understand and address some of the key push factors in developing countries in order to reduce international migration and retain highly skilled human resources for health. These key push factors are human rights, professional freedom, individual safety and security, and freedom to participate in the political process. The paper argues that developing countries must address these factors, collectively referred to as democratic deficit, to effectively tackle the problem of international migration of highly skilled human resources for health.

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