Dr Boubacar Signaté, an urgentiste practising in Paris, told the journal Enquête that he had observed this year an unprecedented wave of Senegalese doctors leaving their country to settle in France. Although he did not provide precise figures on this brain drain in the field of health, he stressed that many colleagues prefer to resign from their posts in Senegal to continue their careers abroad, particularly in France. “If you think that there is already a bleeding, prepare for a massive hemorrhage”, he warned. He explains that the Senegalese doctors in France enjoy administrative support, housing and a modern and respectful work environment. “Here in Senegal, we are treated as second-class citizens”, he laments. He continues: “I will not even speak of incomes, which would be indecent, nor of working conditions, of the social protection afforded to workers and their families, or even of the standard of living. But what is certain is that in Senegal, it seems ignored that a doctor is more valuable than all the riches combined”. Dr Signaté also points out the inadequacies of the education system, particularly in the Senegalese universities. “Our universities, their pedagogical programmes and their scientific vision are outdated. A majority of teachers are resistant to any reform of the university environment”.
Leakage of medical brains: the call to the emergency of Dr Boubacar Signaté
