Summary

This book is published by the Migration Policy, Research and Communications Department (MPRC) of the International Organization for Migration.

Detail

In an increasingly interconnected world, the movement of persons is a key policy issue. Boosted by the forces of globalization, uneven development and demographic changes, migration has become a defi ning feature of economic, social and political life in a mobile world. The effects of migration on individuals, societies and countries are profound and multifaceted; many of these effects are directly or indirectly linked to development processes.

One strand of migratory fl ows which has become the focus of particular international attention in this context is the migration of health care workers. Such focus is related to the critical role health care workers play in improving the quality of and prolonging life – there is a direct link between the availability of qualifi ed health care workers and such key health outcomes as child mortality, maternal health and disease prevention. Thus, migration of health care workers is directly linked to at least three of the Millennium Development Goals.

Although migration of health care workers is not a new phenomenon, this issue has taken on greater importance in recent years due to a combination of factors, including an overall increase in the volumes of migratory fl ows and a global shortage of health care workers combined with a sharp rise in demand for health professionals in many industrialized countries due to population ageing. In addition, concerns have been growing not only at the national level but also at the international level in relation to the economic, social and health implications of medical worker migration for countries of origin, especially the poorest among them. At the same time, the demographic and economic projections indicate that the pull and push forces that 24drive migration of health care workers will remain and in some cases increase. Thus, there is a need to factor globalization and international mobility into strategies and policies for managing human resources for health.

The global scope and the multidimensional nature of international migration highlights the need to address it through coherent and collaborative approaches involving all stakeholders, including international organizations, civil society and the private sector. While the management of population fl ows across borders is a fundamental element of national sovereignty, many aspects of migration are also of concern to stakeholders in addition to governments. Similarly, with many countries opting for at least partial privatization of health-care, public-private partnerships are now particularly relevant in the health care sector. Therefore, effective management of health care worker migration requires participation of non-state actors. Governments need to consider forging partnerships with the private sector and civil society to jointly devise ways to address cross-border migration of health professionals. In addition, broad-based partnerships should be developed within and between private sector and civil society actors.