Why Africa Must Make Health Spending a Priority

Health analysts agree that hiring of African nurses and doctors by hospitals in developing nations is a problem that invites the risk of new diseases emerging and spreading quickly around the globe. The 10 countries with the highest tuberculosis and HIV rates are in Africa. Health care workers are in short supply around the globe, but shortages are particularly acute in the poorest countries. Rather than blame the hospitals in wealthy nations or the workers themselves, the African Public Health Rights Alliance suggests that Africa could do more to make health spending a priority, reports Helen Nyambura-Mwaura for Reuters. It’s not enough for wealthy countries to compensate poor countries for trained health workers, argues Rotimi Sankore, an alliance coordinator. Instead, the continent needs an array of motivated and skilled workers who live in Africa, contributing to the economy and community leadership. – YaleGlobal