Medical Brain Drain – An Increasing Social Stigma

Abstract

To,
The editor,
Migration of talented and educated professionals from
their native country, in search of higher salaries, advanced
technology, stable political conditions, and a better
living, defines the term brain drain. This is not only
concerned with people but is also concerned with
migration of education, intellect, talent and resources
as well. Currently in our country, brain drain of doctors
is a rising social stigma as Pakistan ranks as 3rd leading
country for International Medical Graduates working
abroad.1The reason may be financial, social stressors,
job satisfaction and better learning opportunities but
this mobility is very asymmetrical. The immigrants are
usually from developing nations to countries like USA,
UK, Canada, Australia which are marked 1stworld and
beneficiaries of large scale physician immigration over
last fifty years.2