Lost investment returns from the migration of medical doctors from Malawi.
Migration of medical doctors from African countries to developed nations compromises the delivery of health care on the continent. The full cost of producing a medical doctor was estimated in Malawi by adding the costs of education from primary school through undergraduate medical education. The cost in fees for one medical doctor produced was US$ 56,946.79. The amount of lost investment returns for a doctor who migrated out and served for 30 years in the receiving country ranged from about US$ 433,493 to US$46 million at interest rates 7% and 25%, respectively. Quantitative assessments of the estimated loss in investment allows for informed policy discussions and decisions.
Muula
A S
AS
Department of Community Health, University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi. muula@email.unc.edu
Panulo
B
B
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000191:economics*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007449:Investments / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008295:Malawi; D017059:Models, Econometric; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012574:Schools / Q000191:economics; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000191:economics; D014146:Training Support / Q000191:economics*