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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Fatu Yumkella, IntraHealth International, The Capacity Project, 6340 Quandrangle Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27517, Anneke Zuyderduin, PhD, School of Nursing, Aga Khan University, Box 8842, Kampala, Uganda, Pamela A. McQuide, PhD, RN, IntraHealth International, Capacity Project, 6340 Quandrangle Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27517, Amy Hagopian, MHA, PhD, University of Washington, Box 354982, 4311 11th Ave, NE, Seattle, WA 98195-4982, and Emily Bancroft, MPH(c), Health Services, University of Washington, Box 354982, 4311 11th Ave, NE, Seattle, WA 98195-4982, 206-616-4989, ebanc@u.washington.edu.

The authors are completing a study of health workers in Uganda to determine the number of health workers who have left the workforce in recent years, and the reasons for their departure. Through interviews and focus groups, we have determined incentives that could have encouraged them to stay in their jobs.

The study was completed with the collaboration of the Uganda Ministry of Health, Ugandan training institutions (including students and faculty), and donor organizations.

Key investment strategies identified in the study include increasing health worker salaries, ensuring universal safety precautions, and improving human resource management and planning. There are also cultural and organizational factors--relatively cost-free approaches--that were determined to be important in the health worker migration problem.

Learning Objectives: LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants attending this session will develop an understanding of the factors contributing to the retention of health professionals in Uganda’s health workforce. At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
• Enumerate the extent of the health worker migration in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Uganda;
• Identify the push factors associated with the decisions of health professionals to migrate to higher income countries; and
• Recognize effective human resources policies to recruit and retain health workers in low-income countries.

Keywords: International Health, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No


Recorded presentation

Is it a Human Right for Health Workers to Migrate from Poor Countries?

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA