Doctors are leaving the country - are they abandoning those who need them the most?

**mikey177** · July 28th, 2006 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by midinite

Please read between the lines of the last two lines...it is the essence of it...

Sorry, I'm a WYSIWYG kind of guy --I like oaths to be plain and simple so I don't read between the lines. And if this were really what the oath meant, that doctors should go where they are needed the most, then I would argue that there are countries in a far worse plight than ours where medical care is in even greater shortage. Maybe that's where our doctors should go.

People don't die just because there are no doctors. People die because there is a lack of sanitary drinking water because there are no engineers to build wells. Children die because they are left alone in the home as there are no nannies to look after them. People die because architects and construction workers build substandard houses on eroded mountaintops. So why single out doctors as the cause of the country's woes?

**Altis6453** · July 28th, 2006 05:40 PM

I can't blame doctors who leave the country for greener pastures. They've got needs, dreams, aspirations and motivations too. Meaning, they're still human. There's nothing illegal or immoral about trying to seek a better life for your family.

**midinite** · July 28th, 2006 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by nicolodeon

They'd think the current generation sucks. That's what my late gradfather (who was a WWII veteran) told us grandkids of his - our generation lack the sense of nationalism and intestinal fortitude that can make this county great - and by golly, I think he's right.

If we know they are right should we try to do something about it? This is a forum that is composed by a bunch of individuals right? At least we know what the malaise is...Maybe we can play doctor to a society?

**midinite** · July 28th, 2006 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by mikey177

People don't die just because there are no doctors. People die because there is a lack of sanitary drinking water because there are no engineers to build wells. Children die because they are left alone in the home as there are no nannies to look after them. People die because architects and construction workers build substandard houses on eroded mountaintops. So why single out doctors as the cause of the country's woes?

Am not just singling them out for the country's woes...am just musing about the breakdown in medical service in the country which is obviously economic in origin. Now we can continue to debate and choose sides or we can think of ways to find a solution diba? Rather than discuss semantics any idea where that solution could be?

**niky** · July 28th, 2006 06:38 PM

Personally, I don't believe in professionals leaving the country. If you have enough money to leave, you're not exactly starving.

But I can understand the concern. I can understand if poor doctors, who still wear the same shirt and ratty lab coat day in and day out, and commute to work, despite spending the majority of their life in med school, leave... but I find it funny that middle class and even upper middle class doctors, with a house and a car or two also want to leave.

Greener pastures? With the price of gas creeping up in the US, the astronomical cost of decent housing, and the even more astronomical cost of education there? Sure, you'll be able to afford more car there, but you'll be living in much the same way as you live here.

But, it's their lives, and the lives of their families. So good luck to them. You can't force people to stay where they don't want to, and to do what they don't want to do. A person who stays because they want to is more effective at their job than one who doesn't, so why keep the one who doesn't?

The best solution is: Let them go. Just remind them of those they leave behind, and hope they return (some do) to share their wealth and knowledge with others.

In the meantime, the really destitute, the ones who can't afford to become doctors or nurses or leave for the US... we should educate. Raise them to the level where we can tap them to replace those who leave.

**morrissey_05** · July 28th, 2006 06:45 PM

great views on the topic.

ive also been to places around the country and have seen how the lack of medical attention can lead to the death of a little girl due to the common cold.

i for one believe that all of us, including doctors, nurses, teachers, whatever, should stay and work and help to make our country better. and i admire people who do stay, or come back to serve after being abroad.

between dying penniless but at least trying to help and dying rich but having abandoned my country, i would choose the first. to me, it makes life more meaningful. but that's just me.

but i also believe that it really all boils down to personal choices. i cannot fault them for leaving at all.

at the very least, doctors, nurses and teachers, should have a "service" clause, meaning after graduation, they should serve for a period of time before they leave. but again, this is just me.

if the opportunities were good here, would you think they would go abroad? a majority, i surmise, would stay. after all, there's nothing like living in your own country.

to me, it also boils down to how much this government gives priority to health and education. if the budget, and correspondingly the salaries, was bigger for health and education, then the situation could be better. instead, the government we have has warped priorities like building mega-regions, giving more to lawmakers for pork barrel, etc.

What about increasing the budgets for education and health and making sure the money is supposed to go where its supposed to go?

we can all help in our own little way and im sure most of us on the board do just that. from helping the poor in the countryside to setting up our little businesses to paying our taxes correctly. sure, we can rage on and on about how our taxes are being pilfered by those in power, but at least in our own hearts, we know we are doing the right thing. and i think that makes all the difference.

**ruel23** · July 28th, 2006 06:59 PM

before only skilled workers and engineers were eager for overseas, but now even doctors and practicing dentists would like to try their luck in other countries, some of them took some units in nursing and caregivers.

i saw some pinoy doctors and dentist here in aussie, malaki kasi ang salary nila dito at mahal din pag nagkasakit ka..

**midinite** · July 28th, 2006 07:00 PM

The nice thing though is at least people are reacting to the the thread. At least that is a starting point. Niky, you have good point - If they want to leave so be it. That is what I never understood when I returned to the good old Philippines last year after a long stint out...when someone wants to resign some companies try to counter...eh sa akin diba resign ang gusto niya di say "thank you and good luck." Some even use resigning as a gambit to nego for more...weird. And Morrisey, its Pinoys like you that make me glad that I am back. Yes, we have to work together. Kaya natin ito. I know the times can get us cynical pero as corny as it seems tayo ang custodians for the next gen...

It is good to see there are those who have faith still in our ailing country. To you guys I tip my hat.

**midinite** · July 28th, 2006 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by ruel23

i saw some pinoy doctors and dentist here in aussie, malaki kasi ang salary nila dito at mahal din pag nagkasakit ka..

How goes it in Oz, mate. Learn as much as you can and take it back to teach more back in the Phils. At least this all woke up what would have been a drab friday here...