Interdisciplinary cross-sectoral strategies to mitigate health workforce migration in Africa

Gabriel Oke
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Abstract

Africa is grappling with a severe healthcare workforce shortage, with only 1.55 health workers per 1000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended threshold of 4.45. This deficit is exacerbated by the migration of healthcare professionals to developed countries. This study conducts a comprehensive review to identify practical solutions to mitigate healthcare workforce migration in Africa. A targeted literature review methodology was employed, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid, and WHO repositories from 2014 to 2024. Supplementary searches were performed using Google, incorporating grey literature, reports from governmental and international organizations, and media articles. A total of 45 sources were included, consisting of 36 peer-reviewed articles and 15 pieces of grey literature, including blogs, news articles, and reports. The review identified 13 key solutions from peer-reviewed sources and 11 additional solutions from grey literature, which were analyzed and categorized into thematic areas. Key solutions highlighted by the review include enhancing professional training and career development opportunities, offering financial incentives, improving working conditions, and fostering international collaboration. Specific strategies include addressing wage disparities, providing mentorship, creating competitive postgraduate training programs, and improving workplace environments. These factors are critical to retaining healthcare professionals within African countries and ensuring their sustained engagement in the local healthcare systems. Results indicate that while salary increases were frequently suggested, a multifaceted approach is essential for addressing healthcare migration. Improvements in working conditions, career development, and the establishment of robust mentorship programs were emphasized as more sustainable solutions. In particular, the study highlighted the importance of comprehensive strategies that go beyond financial incentives, as merely increasing salaries may not adequately address the structural issues driving migration. The findings suggest that combating healthcare migration in Africa requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors, including government, health administration, and international organizations. A holistic approach, focusing on strengthening local healthcare systems, improving professional opportunities, and creating supportive working environments, is crucial for mitigating brain drain and improving healthcare delivery on the continent. The review underscores the need for sustained policy interventions, with a focus on both retention and attraction of healthcare professionals within Africa.
减少非洲卫生人力移徙的跨学科跨部门战略
非洲正在努力解决严重的卫生保健人力短缺问题,每1000人中只有1.55名卫生工作者,远低于世界卫生组织建议的4.45人的门槛。医疗保健专业人员向发达国家的移徙加剧了这一赤字。本研究进行了全面的审查,以确定切实可行的解决方案,以减轻医疗保健人力迁移在非洲。采用针对性文献综述方法,利用2014 - 2024年PubMed、谷歌Scholar、Cochrane Library、Scopus、Ovid和WHO知识库等数据库。使用谷歌进行补充检索,纳入灰色文献、政府和国际组织的报告以及媒体文章。共纳入45个来源,包括36篇同行评议文章和15篇灰色文献,包括博客、新闻文章和报告。该综述从同行评议的来源中确定了13个关键解决方案,从灰色文献中确定了11个额外解决方案,并对其进行了分析和分类。报告强调的关键解决方案包括加强专业培训和职业发展机会、提供财政激励、改善工作条件和促进国际合作。具体策略包括解决工资差距、提供指导、创建有竞争力的研究生培训项目以及改善工作环境。这些因素对于在非洲国家留住卫生保健专业人员并确保他们持续参与当地卫生保健系统至关重要。结果表明,虽然经常建议加薪,但解决医疗保健迁移问题需要采取多方面的方法。他们强调,改善工作条件、职业发展和建立健全的指导计划是更可持续的解决方案。该研究特别强调了超越财政奖励的综合战略的重要性,因为仅仅增加工资可能不足以解决推动移徙的结构性问题。研究结果表明,在非洲打击医疗保健移徙需要多个部门的协调努力,包括政府、卫生行政部门和国际组织。一种注重加强地方卫生保健系统、改善专业机会和创造支持性工作环境的整体方法,对于缓解非洲大陆的人才流失和改善卫生保健服务至关重要。审查强调需要持续的政策干预,重点是在非洲保留和吸引卫生保健专业人员。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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