Impact of and Political Strategies for Medical Brain Drain Phenomenon in the Philippines

Improvement in the health status of less developed countries is limited due to a shortage of financial, technological and human resources. The Philippines is a major exporter of health care workers. Philippine physicians become nurses (“nurse medics”) in order to leave the country; which exacerbates health care conditions in the Philippines. This literature review is composed of four sections: (1) magnitude and consequences of brain drain, (2) motivation to migrate, (3) current approaches and limitations, and (4) alternative solutions. This study focuses on the possibility of promoting medical tourism as one feasible alternative solution. It also examined financial and social effects, as well as social justice and human rights issues of medical tourism. The medical brain drain in the Philippines is closely related to the country's economic development, social transformations in the context of globalization, and worldwide economic/technical interdependence. Applying a single policy is unlikely to be effective. However, it is concluded that the Philippine government should seek the most effective way to promote medical tourism, such as in the areas of dentistry or cosmetic surgery, to ensure financial and personal resources available to provide health care coverage for its citizens. Focus on promoting task-shifting to ease the work burden of health workers, as well as investing in the development of education and research medical institutions in the country are additional recommendations to improve the health status of the Philippine citizens.