The Department of Health has approached the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as part of moves to bring nurses back to South Africa, Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Tuesday.
The movement of health professionals from developing countries to developed countries should be examined closely to understand why it is happening, she said ahead of her departure to the International Nursing Conference in Taiwan.
African ministers spoke passionately about it at the recent World Health Assembly and agreed that although there are resolutions and international agreements on the matter, the problem is not being addressed quickly enough.
South Africa is not the only country battling with the departure of health professionals, she said. African countries’ health systems are being undermined by this trend, but a recent paper showed that in London nurses are changing jobs to become plumbers and electricians to afford to buy houses.
Speaking to South African nurses abroad, it has emerged that not all their expectations are being met, she said. Many had hoped to gain from exchange-rate differences, but found that this is no longer as beneficial as before.
Many want to return but sold their cars and houses before they left and obtained a foreign passport.
”I have two cousins … in Britain who really want to come back,” she said.
Tshabalala-Msimang said she recognises global movement and the desire for international exposure, but hopes that health professionals will return with the knowledge that they can travel again.
”South Africa is working with the IOM to see what we can do to help them come home to serve in the country.”
Tshabalala-Msimang said matters needing attention include the appointment of a director general of human resources to focus on recruitment and retention of health professionals. — Sapa