Africa: Medical Paraprofessionals Helping To Replace 'Brain Drain'

The New York Times on Tuesday examined how health care paraprofessionals, or individuals trained to assist physicians, are performing medical duties - such as emergency obstetrical and HIV/AIDS care - in some African countries to help alleviate the "brain drain" resulting from doctors moving to "rich Western nations and more prosperous African countries." Ethiopia, Mozambique and Malawi, all of which have "extreme doctor shortages," are "virtually doubling" the number of paraprofessionals who are going through training, according to the Times.