Nuha Ibrahim
Country: Sudan
Background - Biology & Zoology
Research Project: Migration of Sudanese Doctors to Ireland: Push and Pull Factors
Background: A key factor in providing medical care is the availability of qualified and motivated health care professionals. The deficiency of health human resources is one of the main constraints to improve health conditions in developing countries. Sudan currently has approximately 21,000 doctors registered with the Sudanese medical council. However, of these approximately 12,000 are not working in Sudan and instead are working overseas. In terms of annual output, 1,500 doctors graduate each year, but 800 migrate. It is not known whether migration is temporary or permanent. Ireland is an attractive destination country for migrant doctors and there are currently 471 doctors registered in Ireland. The aim of this research is to investigate the motivation of Sudanese doctors to work in Ireland and what are the factors that contribute to their decisions to leave Sudan and come to work in Ireland and their future plans about their returning back to Sudan as doctors.
Methods: A sample of 120 completed survey Sudanese doctors was obtained. Recruited doctors were through online survey. Emails had been collected from doctors using Sudanese Society in Ireland and snowballing approach to recruit more doctor by sending their emails, which create a pool of about 300 emails.
Results: 94% of the participants were male and 6% were females. 90% of the participants were obtained their medical degree from Sudanese Medical College, mainly Khartoum University 52% and AL Gazeera University.
43% of the participants choose lack of training as the main push factor in Sudan. 64% of them rank career development and training opportunities as the main incentive for their working in Ireland. 65% of the participants choose Ireland rather than other countries as recommendation of friend. 79.6% of the participants (86 doctors) stated that Ireland is not their last destination. 89.0% of the participants (97 doctors) mentioned that they are planning to go back to Sudan, 93 of them are going back to work as doctors. Of those who are going to work in Sudan, 67.7% are going back to work as doctors.
Conclusions: Sudanese migration of doctors is contributing hugely to the imbalance health services provision in Sudan. Lack of training and low payment in Sudan the main push factors for Sudanese doctors to work outside Sudan. On the other hand, the career development and continuing education are the main reasons for migrating to work in Ireland. Developed countries such as Ireland will continue to attract doctors from developing countries including Sudanese doctors to fill its shortage in doctors.This will not stop unless Sudan government address the causes of this migration and implement suitable and efficient policies. These policies can improve retention and motivation of Sudanese doctors to work in Sudan. Their planning to go back to Sudan could be good example for brain exchange or wisdom gain rather than brain drain.
Key words: Doctor Migration-Sudanese Doctors-Brain Drain-Push and Pull factors-Ireland
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