The Brain Drain

The Brain drain in the country’s medical profession has gone from bad to worse. More and more licensed doctors were enrolled in nursing schools, preparing for lucrative jobs abroad. The exodus of nurses and doctors (many of whom have turned to nursing) may soon create a crisis in the country’s health care system.

This phenomenon is only the latest development in the brain drain that began to sap the intellectual, professional and manpower talent of the country in the past years. According to the statistics, starting 2002, about 200,000 professionals and technicians left the country for better-paying job abroad, and each year afterwards, at least 100,000 professionals leave.

And without doubt, one of the best, or should I say the biggest incentive for seeking employment abroad is financial. With the economy we have now in the Philippines, it is practical for our fellow countrymen to look for ways for a better living. In this case, our own nurses and other health professionals are going abroad to earn more for their selves and for their families as well. For instance, nurses abroad get a range of $3,000 to $4,000 a month, compare that with the $150 to $250 that nurses get and the $300 to $800 that doctors earn here in the Philippines. Inclusive to that, are the amusement of having more opportunities open to them.

With this phenomenon, we can also see that one can go down the line – from doctors to nurses — and one will come to the same conclusion: The brain drain is depriving the nation of a great deal of talent that could help push its social and economic development. And the irony is that this phenomenon is benefiting developed countries that should be helping poor countries like the Philippines instead.

So now, what can be done to stop, or at least, to reduce the brain drain from the Philippines?

Ultimately, the answer would be to accelerate the economic development of the country so that corporations and other institutions would be able to pay salaries that can compare favorably with those paid by employers abroad. But given the present state of political turmoil and economic downturn, that is not likely to come in the near future. But then again, we can always appeal to the social conscience and patriotism of the professionals and ask them to help their countrymen first before they serve the people of other nations.