Perceptions of Emaswati Nurses Working in The United Kingdom (UK) About International Migration: Experiences and Plans

Background: The migration of healthcare staff from developing to developed countries has caused deleterious effects to already crumbling healthcare systems in many third world countries. In eSwatini, 80 nurses graduate each year from training institutions but more than a third of these nurses are lost to the diaspora. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive qualitative survey was conducted among 48 emaSwati nurses working in the UK to explore their perceptions and future plans concerning their own migration. Questionnaires were mailed to nurses that consented to participate and responses were also mailed back in self-addressed and stamped envelopes. Results: Findings from this study suggest that nurses in eSwatini are motivated by the higher pay and strength of the pound to emigrate (pull factors). Lack of accountability by the system of governance, equipment shortage, poor supervision, high work load and lack of training opportunities were other push factors identified by the participants. The eSwatini Government, through the Ministry of Health, engaged several strategies to reduce overseas migration of nurses. However, with the slow improvement of the country’s political and economic developments, the crisis may remain or recur. Conclusion: Increased remuneration, investment in healthcare infrastructure, purchase of appropriate equipment and reduction in work loads could improve working conditions and reduce the loss of nurses to overseas countries. Development of inclusive policies to address migration of all citizens of this country could greatly benefit the practice economically, socially and otherwise, and ensure input of knowledge into the healthcare system from personnel returning with experience from overseas exposure.