Brain Drain in the Philippine Health System: A Study on Filipino Nurse Migration, its Effects and Implications with Special Focus on Cavite City

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) held the Philippines as one of the top exporter of registered nurses to foreign countries. The demand for health care workers continues to increase in developed countries experiencing an aging of their population and whose supply of health workers are low. Many Filipino nurses, and even doctors, have responded to this trend and many others are bound to follow with the continuing demand. This study focused on the widespread Filipino nurse migration and was undertaken to determine the push and pull factors as well as the effects and implications of the current Filipino nurse migration in the Philippines and more specifically in the area of Cavite City. Various sources of data were utilized such as library research, interviews and surveys to portray the present migration trend. It was found out that the main push factors that drive Filipino nurses to migrate are low salary, corruption in the government, political instability, and poor working conditions among others. Nurses are mainly attracted to high salary, additional perks, and better chances of professional growth abroad. The migration trend has resulted to the loss in health manpower and eventually a decline in the quality of health care. Many private and public hospitals nationwide have ceased operations due to lack of staff as well. Recommendations include the incorporation of a course on nationalism on nursing curriculum, an establishment of a Nursing Act, collaboration of nursing institutions and agencies, appropriation of higher budget for health, and improved working conditions for nurses and other health workers.