A comparative study of the knowledge and attitudes of intern doctors at rural and urban hospitals regarding the migration of health workers
October 2006
Denise K Lwamafa, Vennie Nabitaka M, Dr KC Opio
EQUINET
The reasons for migration of health workers have been extensively studied in some countries, but not in Uganda (Dambiysa, 2004). When the international community embarked on the eradication of malaria, in 1955, Africa was not among the beneficiaries because it lacked adequately trained personnel.
Today more than ever before, the migration of health workers especially from developing to developed countries is of great concern. According to the population census carried out by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in 2002, there are 2,919 Medical Doctors in Uganda. Of these, 1,349 are working in and around Kampala city. There is a lot of research going on in Uganda especially to try and look into the persistent poor health indicators. But there is not much research about migration of health workers. This problem is growing steadily and destroying the heart of our health care delivery system. Worse still, the ones here have not been spared from HIV and AIDS and many others are seeking a better life and a more rewarding work environment by leaving for richer countries.
Keywords: rural hospitals, urban hospitals
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