WHO renews fight against disease and brain drain

The World Heath Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday reinforced its commitment to Africa in the areas of capacity building, strengthened health systems and the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO Director-General Lee Jong-wook told his agency's 55th Regional Committee meeting in the Mozambican capital, Maputo, that the organisation would also help the continent deal with the migration of skilled health workers. He described the movement of African medical staff to developed countries as complex, but said it was receiving priority attention from WHO and other concerned partners. The brain drain problem dominated deliberations in subcommittee meetings, with some African ministers demanding compensation from recipient developed nations for the loss of skilled health workers.