Right-to-Reply results
The sentiments expressed in insights health #7 are well thought out.
However, I raise two issues. First, I think we should stop using the word
"substitutes" to describe alternate health workers. The word
carries incorrect connotations. I don't have a real suggestion but something
like "alternate" might suffice.
Second, the list of disadvantages expressed by Dr. Dovlo should be directly
addressed. What seems to be happening is that alternate workers are being
given the minimum skills to do the job rather than the optimum ones. I
believe that even allowing more time for extra training there will still
be a large time saving over that of "full scope" workers. I
also believe that tailoring training will impact positively on the brain
drain by the fact that the new workers are trained for a specific set
of conditions that may not be applicable outside the region of training.
I also believe that regional thinking and cooperation will help mitigate
against the brain drain
Keith Masnick
UNSW Australia
12 August, 2005
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