Developing nations are quickly losing their nurses
to higher-paying jobs in other countries when they
can least afford to. What's the solution to the global
crisis of nurse migration? By Carl Bloice and Conn Hallinan
Moving
Out
Chad, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO), has
the worst public health infrastructure
of any country in sub-Saharan Africa—
maybe in the world. Life expectancy is estimated
to be 45 years, and more than a third of Chadians are
malnourished. The population is plagued by infectious
and parasitic diseases, respiratory afflictions, and nervous
disorders, mainly from poor sanitation and limited access to potable
water. In 2001, the country's HIV infection rate was 3.6 percent of
HOWARD DAVIES/CORBIS
the sexually active population. To make matters worse, the country must
deal with more than 200,000 refugees from the ongoing civil conflict in neighboring
Sudan, many of whom arrive afflicted with chronic diarrhea, fever, and respiratory infections.
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REGISTERED NURSE
W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G
APRIL 2007
