Effectiveness of measures aimed at curbing brain drain of nurses in the Ashanti region

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of measures aimed at curbing the brain drain of nurses. The descriptive survey method was used, and a sample of 150 respondents was drawn from the four sub-metropolitan hospitals in Kumasi namely; South Suntresu Hospital, Tafo Government Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, and Kumasi South Hospital (Chirapatere). The study revealed that 5 out of the 7 incentive interventions that were implemented by the government to curb the brain drain of nurses are effective. Notwithstanding this achievement, majority of the respondents, 68(51.5%) still expressed their desire to work outside Ghana. Only (44(33.3%) of respondents would like to work for mother Ghana no matter the circumstances. The other 20(15.1%) were not yet decided. Among a list of reasons why nurses travelled to work abroad, respondents ranked ordered dissatisfaction with remuneration as an outstanding reason why nurses migrate from Ghana to work in other countries. Second and third on the list were intentions for further studies and to learn new skills. Since some nurses in Kumasi were not satisfied with the incentive packages aimed at curbing the brain, restrategization of policy interventions could be effective in stemming the brain drain; For instance, an option is the registrion of migrant nurses and signing an agreement with receiving countries to repatriate an agreed percentage of the nurses’ earnings to Ghana. Such money could be used to increase the level of incentives for nurses who remain to work in Ghana.