Thanks for your message. Yes I agree with you that the political environment and economic development are major factors which influences intentions to migrate. There are no easy or short answers and political will is very much required over the long term to bring about changes to ensure sustainable human resource development in the health sector.

However, despite these restraints, changes at grass roots levels to improve the working environment, support to practitioners and information about the health workforce can be put in place to generate improvements. There are many examples at facility level in low and middle income countries where hospitals and institutions have managed to retain and expand their workforce.

We need more constructive dialogue and sharing of experiences and lessons, and indeed, further research on what interventions work and what interventions do not.

It goes without doubt that WHO-UNESCO-FIP education task force is working alot on Pharmacy related human resource development. I had a chance to attend task force meeting in Turkey where African case studies were presented as well. To me there are three major components of human resource development after assessing the current needs and future demands of a particular community
1. Sustainable Production of skilled human resource
2. Quality Assurance and Continuous Professional Education
3. Retention of Human Resourse

Unfortunately, if we look through the health care policy of countries across the globe especially developing and underdeveloped countries, we will find out the policy is deficient in at least one of the above stated components.
Political and Socioeconomic stability is a must to prevent brain drain. To me, there are the two main drivers of brain drain from developing countries especially from Africa. Political will and economic stability is required to prevent this.
I, myself being an immigrant lecturer (Pakistan to Malaysia) can see the major problems Pharmacists are facing.

Muhammad Abdul Hadi, BPharm, MPharm (Clinical)
Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy
Universiti Teknologi MARA
42300 Puncak Alam, Malaysia

Indeed. A conducive social and political development is critical, and in many cases could be a major driving force for migration. However the health sector can do more to improve the social and political environment particularly with regards to healthcare management, human resource management and the working environment.

Great to get your comments. Good idea to interview pharmacists who have emigrated to Namibia. Qualitative work in this area may give some further insights. However, it would be even more interesting to know what changes would make them wish to return to their home country and how long they plan to stay in Namibia.