In an era where Africa as a whole boasts of ‘self-governance’, there has been a number of challenges encountered. Key among them is the massive brain drain.
A number of African professionals especially doctors and nurses have left for oversea Jobs. Such greener pastures have left the continent battling a vicious cycle of inadequate skilled human resources.
It is astonishing and sad to note that more than 4,000 nurses and doctors have left Zimbabwe since February 2021. The key destination is the United Kingdom. As if not enough, data from the British Home Office places Zimbabwe among the top five skilled worker visa recipient countries.
One may hurry to point fingers and accuse these Zimbabwean professionals of neglecting their country in favor of green grass. However, deep inside, the desire to go abroad or overseas not only for jobs but other reasons is rooted in most African hearts.
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In Uganda here, right from childhood, most people have dreams to study and go abroad. After graduation, a number of youths tend to look for scholarship opportunities abroad. The goal is to go and remain there if possible, leaving the country almost short of the professionals needed for national growth in different sectors.
After graduation, a number of youths wish to go overseas
A question maybe is asked why some of these ‘high developed ‘ countries would give donations and grants to help low-developed countries only to come back and remove even the few ‘developed’ / skilled human resource? It’s a give-and-take situation that unfortunately favors one side.
Reasons why Zimbabwe Professionals go for oversea Jobs
The main factor why a number of Africans go overseas is the search for ‘green’ pastures. So would it be able to attribute this to be the cause of over 4000 nurses and doctors departing Zimbabwe? Not really.
Actually, a number of African governments have grappled with the responsibility of paying doctors and nurses. As a result, this saw increased standards of living. The only way for these professionals is to move on. Move to a place at least that can provide that desired kind of life.
As if not enough, the professionals assert that even if they are to remain in the country there are no basic tools necessary for them to fully do their job. This is a result of underfunding which is very common in most countries on the continent.
The talk of political instability in some countries might have led some African professionals to depart. However, this has not been the case in Zimbabwe. The motivation for this massive brain drain seems to emanate from a rather different source.
