Brain drain: Zimbabwe worst affected

African Echo News


ZIMBABWE is the country hardest hit by brain drain on the continent, resulting in the loss of over 50 percent of key professionals within the country’s public health institutions.

At a recent UN Conference on Trade and Development, it was estimated that each professional leaving Africa costs the region US$184 000.

Education has been Zimbabwe’s largest investment in development and one of the country’s greatest successes, yet the gains have been eroded due to the brain drain and the Aids pandemic.

Recent findings by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show The gravity of the staff situation in Zimbabwe’s health institutions was documented in the summary of vacancy returns, compiled by the Health Service Board, which showed that more than 50 percent of key posts within the public health system were vacant by December 2005.

However, despite this major setback, the country has registered tremendous progress in the area of HIV and Aids, with the prevalence rate going down from 33 percent in 2001, 29 percent in 2002, 24,6 percent in 2004, 20,1 in 2005, to the current 18,1 percent. The outflow of professionals from poor countries to wealthier nations has become one of the difficult challenges facing many developing countries today.

WHO recommends a minimum ratio of 100 nurses for every 100 000 people, but many poor nations do not come even close.

In some poor countries the ratio is 10 nurses per every 100 000 people, compared to 2 000 per 100 000 people in wealthier nations. In Europe, the average ratio is 10 times that of Africa and South-East Asia.

Out of an establishment of 2500 primary care nurses in Zimbabwe, there were only 291 primary care nurses, leaving a vacancy of 88.4 percent in the country’s public health institutions by December last year.

There were 67 nurse tutors out of an establishment of 248. The just-released United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) State of the World Report 2006 states that nowhere is the effect of the brain drain more acutely felt than in the already fragile health systems of developing countries.

The Global Commission on International Migration reports that more Malawian doctors were currently practicing in the northern English city of Manchester than in the whole of Malawi. Only 50 of the 600 doctors trained since independence were still practising in Zambia.

While sub-Saharan Africa is currently staggering under the highest infectious disease burden in the world (25 percent), it retains only 1,3 percent of the world’s healthcare practitioners.

In 2000, twice as many nurses left Ghana as graduated. Two years later, the Ministry of Health in that country estimated a nurse vacancy rate of 57 percent. In 2003, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago reported nursing vacancies of 58 and 53 percent, respectively. In 2003, an estimated 85 percent of employed Filipino nurses were working abroad.

According to the UN population report, what looked godsend for the developed world, was, however, devastating for more impoverished countries. Global competition was driving countries to recruit more highly skilled migrant workers in order to maintain and increase their economic edge.

As a result, researchers estimate that between a third and half of the developing world’s science and technology personnel currently live in the developed world. A World Bank study concludes that for "22 of the 33 countries in which educational attainment data can be estimated, less than 10 percent of the best educated (tertiary- educated) population of labour-exporting countries had migrated".

The trend was unlikely to slow down soon, as WHO estimates that by 2008, Great Britain would require 25 000 doctors and 250 000 nurses more than it did in 1997. The US government projects that by 2020, more than one million nursing positions would need to be filled. Canada and Australia were projecting nursing deficits of 78000 and 40000, respectively, during the next four to five years. This was partially owing to demographic ageing brought on by lower fertility rates and longer life expectations in industrialised countries.

credit: Sundaymail

Opposition seizes lead in Zambia vote

Mugabe's Menaces

Zimbabwe Independent (Harare)
COLUMN
September 29, 2006 >
Posted to the web September 29, 2006

PRESIDENT Mugabe's endorsement of police violence has with one stroke stripped the mask of reason that he likes to present to the world. And it will have tarnished the nation's image irretrievably.

Abandoning the role of a more-sinned-against-than-sinning ruler projected during his interview with Associated Press in New York, Mugabe has now revealed the more vicious streak that has come to the fore in recent years. ZCTU leaders got what they deserved, he told Zimbabwe embassy staff in Cairo last Saturday, after complaints by foreign governments and human rights bodies began to pour in.

He repeated these damaging remarks on arrival at Harare airport on Monday, saying labour leaders who break the law and disregard police orders would be beaten up. They got what they deserved for refusing to disperse, Mugabe told supporters.

"The police must do their work," he said. "Anyone who resists is actually inviting police to use force."

It is instructive to note here how Mugabe has given the impression that the ZCTU leaders got their bones broken because they refused to disperse when told to do so. Leaving aside the obvious point that the police have no right to assault people in any circumstances, Mugabe must not be allowed to get away with his deceptive spin on events.

The ZCTU leaders and others were assaulted in police holding cells, not on the streets. Their attempt at mounting a protest on the streets had been thwarted by a blanket police presence.

A magistrate who saw the condition of the ZCTU leaders in hospital ordered a police investigation. It will be interesting to see how this proceeds following Mugabe's remarks.

There is a precedent for all this. After Standard newspaper editor Mark Chavunduka and his colleague Ray Choto were tortured in state custody in January 1999 over a story claiming that disgruntled soldiers had planned a coup, Mugabe went on television to warn them of further military retribution if they published such a story again. He also threatened the Standard's owners.

Meanwhile, a court-ordered police investigation of the two journalists' treatment came to an abrupt halt at the gates of the KGVI barracks.

Just as egregious is the case of Joseph Mwale who, although an employee of the Office of the President, continues to roam free despite court cases linking him to the murder of two MDC supporters in 2000.

What Mugabe has done now is to spread the fire-wall of impunity to rogue police officers who systematically assaulted the ZCTU detainees held in their custody. The victims' only offence was to have attempted to protest against prevailing economic conditions.

The head of state has sworn to uphold the constitution which protects citizens from torture and other cruel punishment. Zimbabwe is a signatory to international covenants barring the use of torture. His latest outburst, coming a month after his threat that the armed forces have their fingers on the trigger, expose him to the scrutiny of the international courts. The maladroit remarks are also likely to embarrass the police who have always denied the use of torture. This can no longer be portrayed as the work of a few overzealous officers, as Mugabe suggested in New York. It is clearly state policy approved by the highest office in the land.

Reported on the same day as Mugabe's menaces, acting Home Affairs minister Nicholas Goche was lecturing the defence forces on the need to conduct themselves "in bona fide". Members of the defence forces should "conduct themselves in a manner that recognises the norms and values of a civilised society when called upon to assist during times of civil disobedience", Goche said.

Sadly these enlightened exhortations are likely to be overlooked by a police force which has been given a greenlight to engage in brutality against individuals held in its charge.

It is to be hoped that the victims of this violence will explore their options in the civil courts. That includes identifying those giving the orders.

At the end of the day Mugabe has compounded a bad situation. His remarks will have appalled most people reading them around the world and will make defence of his regime doubly difficult for his few remaining friends. At best they show a complete absence of judgement and at worst they border on incitement. The nation has the right to expect better of the president.

Zimbabwe: Lawmakers in Heated Debate Over Motion

 The Herald


The Herald (Harare)
September 29, 2006
Posted to the web September 29, 2006
Harare
THERE was a heated debate yesterday in the House of Assembly over a motion on the action taken by the police who moved in to quell an abortive demonstration by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) with Zanu-PF lawmakers supporting the action by the force while MDC legislators opposed it.
There were fireworks in the House as the debate lasted for more than three hours.
The motion that was moved by MDC Chief Whip and Mutare Central Member of the House of Assembly Mr Innocent Gonese was calling upon the Government to institute investigations into the beatings of the ZCTU leadership and bring the perpetrators to book.
Contributing to the debate, Makonde lawmaker Cde Leo Mugabe (Zanu-PF) said the ZCTU leadership had instigated the demonstration in order to divert public attention from its corrupt activities.
He said a probe by a Government appointed investigator had revealed that the ZCTU was involved in corrupt activities that included the violation of the Exchange Control Act.
"The ZCTU leadership is corrupt, they are not representing workers but meddling in dirty politics. In carrying out the demonstration they wanted to justify for the money, which they had received from donors," he said.
Cde Mugabe said the motion by the opposition should be thrown out.
MDC Leader in the House and Nkulumane legislator Mr Gibson Sibanda hinted that the action by the police had violated International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and this would result in more sanctions being imposed on Harare by the West.
"The Zimbabwean Government is playing into the international community by its own actions. The Government must investigate and bring to book those involved in the assault," he said.
However, Non-Constituency lawmaker Cde Canisa Satiya said parliamentarians should desist from calling for sanctions as such punitive measures would affect everyone irrespective of political affiliation.
Deputy Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Cde Kenetth Mutiwekuziva said it was ironic that when Harare North legislator Mr Trudy Stevenson (MDC) was attacked the United States and Britain did not voice their concerns as they were doing over the ZCTU demonstration.
He said the police had dealt with the labour body leaders because they had failed to take heed of the warning not to embark on the demonstration hence their defiance was tantamount to violence.

His sentiments were echoed by Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development Cde Morris Sakabuya who said no sensible Government would stand by and allow people to engage in illegal regime change.
Chitungwiza legislator Mr Fidelis Mhashu (MDC) said there might be a backlash against the police over their action.
The debate on the motion was adjourned to next Tuesday.

Which Forecaster Do You Believe?

Zimbabwe Independent (Harare)
OPINION
September 29, 2006
Posted to the web September 29, 2006

By Admire Mavolwane


LANGUAGE, like culture and fashion, changes with time and usage. Since 2004, a number of new terms have joined mainstream commentary and now dominate almost every debate. Detractors; externalisation; challenges; and governor are some of the words that are now in common usage.
According to the Miriam Webster Dictionary, to "detract" is to speak ill of somebody. As such, a detractor is an individual or institution that undertakes such an exercise. Due to the extraordinary circumstances that we find ourselves in, oftentimes those that forecast a bleak outcome of events in the country are labelled by certain sections of media and the authorities as "detractors". Even the governor in his half-year fiscal policy review fired a broadside at the so-called detractors for what he called "venomous outpourings".
One foreign institution which is often vilified by the authorities is the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If its previous reports have resulted in the organisation being branded a detractor, then its latest forecast on Zimbabwe will make some people go ballistic. The IMF projects that this year the economy will shrink by 5,1% and annual inflation will average 1 216%. For 2007, it forecasts that real GDP will shrink by a further 4,7% whilst inflation will hit the 4 278,8% level. The inflation forecast for this year could be close to the mark, given that with four months to go average year-on-year inflation is sitting at 960,5%. The 2007 figure, however, will make many hot under the collar as it is at wide variance to the official double-digit inflation figure forecast.
The issue of whether the economy will contract, stagnate or expand this year into next year is also one on which the official, and IMF's, views are diametrically opposed. According to theMinister of Finance, the economy is anticipated to grow by between 0% and 2,5% predicated upon a 23% growth in agriculture only, whilst mining will decline by 10,8%, tourism, 4%. No figure for the manufacturing sector was given.
From the above, one can conclude that the improvement in farm output will cancel out the declines in the other sectors. The other view, especially from "local detractors" is how much further can the economy contract after having shrunk by about 50% over the past eight years, and it is not surprising that the rate of contraction has declined. "Local detractors" are putting the level of decline at between 6% and 7%.
Notwithstanding all the threats and commands to slow down, inflationary pressures do not seem to be taking heed. On the other end, regardless of all the tonnes of Zimbabwean dollars poured into the sector, the country seems not to be able to produce enough grain. Rather than the nation benefiting from all the various schemes and funding channeled into agriculture, farmers and Agribank are the ones who have been smiling all the way to the bank. After accessing funds at 50% per annum, fuel at highly subsided prices, cheap inputs, and subsided electricity, come harvesting time, the farmers get a hefty 2 321% increase in the producer price of wheat to $217 913,40 per tonne.
In the meantime, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will continue selling the wheat to the millers at the old price of $12 339 per tonne. On a projected output of 200 000 tonnes, the total subsidy for wheat alone would be $41 billion (revalued).
This is before working out the subsidy on the balance of 200 000 tonnes to be imported, which by our calculation, based on the information in this Wednesday's Herald, would amount to a further $17 billion. At the auction rate, it works out cheaper to import wheat than buy it from farmers!
So in addition to the subsidies that the farmers got, the cost of which will be borne by the fiscus/RBZ, the nation will be saddled with huge losses by the GMB which will manifest themselves in higher taxes and inflation. If farmers were to get the above inflation producer price, then why were they availed all the subsidies? Kind of difficult question to address but down the line, the impact of this double whammy will be felt when one takes a trip to the supermarket.
Coming to the markets, it appears that the low interest regime is here to stay with the yield on the 91-day treasury bill being reduced from the previous 200% to 66,93% per annum. On a compounded basis, assuming rollover every quarter, the yield works out to 85,68% per annum. Other tenors like the six months and one year are attracting straight yields of 100% and 150% per annum. So with inflation currently at 1 204,6% for August and with projections of close to 2 000% by December, it becomes difficult to justify investing in the money market, even for two hours.
The result of the low interest rate environment has been an aggressive switch to equities, foreign currency, motor vehicles and real estate. The stock market, which is usually the first option, has enjoyed a considerable amount of buoyancy in the last two weeks, with the benchmark industrial index gaining 49,48% since the September 15. Players in the other three markets will accede to the fact that since the middle of the month market values have appreciated significantly.
Inflation comes with it volatility in policies such that the sustainability of the current low interest regime environment with its attendant inflationary consequences is being questioned. The biggest worry is the asset price inflation bubble that is being created. Asset price inflation has the psychological effect of making holders of assets feel rich and in that, they tend to spend and borrow more based on the valuation of their assets. This results in demand-push inflation and a potentially overstretched property market and banking sector. Fair and fine, but the problem reveals itself when the time for a correction comes. Case studies in a number of countries including Japan show that when an asset price bubble bursts, it leads the country into a deep recession accompanied by a weakened financial and property sector.
Whether the IMF and all other forecasters (detractors) or the government forecasters are right or wrong, it is now only a question of time before either party is vindicated.



Copyright © 2006 Zimbabwe Independent

Mugabe lifts ban on NGO food distribution

Monday 02 October 2006

THREE million Zimbabweans need food aid
MASVINGO – The Zimbabwe government has directed provincial governors to allow non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to distribute food aid, a few months after insisting that the country had harvested enough to feed itself.

International food aid agencies had always maintained - against claims of a bumper harvest by President Robert Mugabe’s government – that at least a quarter of the 12 million Zimbabweans were in dire need of food assistance after poor harvests in the last farming season.
 
In a circular dated 20 September 2006, which was made available to ZimOnline at the weekend, the government ordered all provincial governors and administrators to allow NGOs to resume food distribution around the country with immediate effect.
 
“Please be advised that despite an earlier directive barring NGOs from giving food aid to the people four months ago, it has emerged that the government has no enough food to feed its citizens.
 
“You are therefore advised to liaise with the traditional NGOs in your area which used to assist us in times of such need. Those NGOs willing to assist should be allowed to start work immediately since the situation is desperate in some areas,” read part of the circular.
 
ZimOnline was unable to establish from the National Association of NGOs that represents civic groups in the country whether the government had formally invited relief agencies to resume distributing food to ordinary Zimbabweans. Previously NGOs were allowed to feed only vulnerable groups such as the old, orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS. 

However a senior official with one NGO said his group was unaware whether the government had changed its position to allow relief agencies to resume giving food aid to the general public.

The official, who spoke on condition he was not named, said: “We are just waiting for an official invitation so that we start feeding the people. Once that has been done we will start rehiring personnel including drivers so that we can start helping the people.”

Mugabe, always eager to flaunt rising food production as a sign his chaotic and often violent land reforms were a success, last year banned NGOs from distributing food insisting Zimbabwe had harvested enough to feed itself.

Local and international farming experts however said Zimbabwe would harvest between 700 and 800 tonnes of the main staple maize in the 2005/06 season and which is far less than the 1.8 million tonnes of maize required to see the country through to the next harvest around March 2007.
  
Zimbabwe has grappled severe food shortages over the past six years after Mugabe seized large white-owned farms for redistribution to landless blacks.
 
The farm disturbances slashed food production by more than 60 percent resulting in most Zimbabweans depending on food handouts from international relief agencies. - ZimOnline

SA business tycoon says Mugabe a hero who lost his way

Monday 02 October 2006


JOHANNESBURG - One of South Africa's most prominent politicians and business tycoons has launched a broadside at President Robert Mugabe describing him as a hero who lost his way.

Tokyo Sexwale, who now leads the diversified conglomerate Mvelapanda Holdings, chided Mugabe while addressing a group of South African expatriates in London last week.

Referring to Mugabe's role in the liberation war, Sexwale said Mugabe was  a man "who led his people to freedom", but emphasized that the Zimbabwe leader's current actions could not  be supported.

"When a freedom fighter takes a wrong step, it is time for other freedom fighters to stand up and say 'we know you are a great man, but we cannot support what you do'," he said, in an indirect attack on his country's presdent Thabo Mbeki's much criticised quiet diplomacy on Zimbabwe.

Sexwale said that it was sometimes necessary to have tensions within a country, but that the important thing was that solid human rights and the rule of law prevail.

On South Africa, he said: "It's a country where the deputy president gets dismissed. It's a country where Winnie Mandela stands trial. It is a country where the chief whip, Tony Yengeni, goes to jail. "That is the country that I want to live in - where Mbeki, Mandela, all of us are not above the law."

But comparing South Africa to Zimbabwe, Sexwale said: "In my country the judges are not interfered with. In my country we do not seize land. In my country we do not incarcerate and torture our people."

Sexwale joins the ever growing list of prominent Africans who have been criticising Mugabe thus unmasking his often misleading claim that Africa is behind him.

Nobel Prize laureate Desmond Tutu has often dismissed Mugabe as a "cartoon figure" and a "caricature of an African leader".

Another respected Nobel Prize laureate Wole Soyinka has also dismissed Mugabe as a "monster" who is a huge embarrassment to Africa.

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has also said he does not belong to the trade union of presidents of the likes of Mugabe to mention but only a few prominent Africans who have taken a jibe at the ageing Zimbabwean leader. - ZimOnline

Zim Online