Frank W.J. Anderson, Ian Mutchnick, E.Y. Kwawukume, K.A. Danso, C.A. Klufio, Y. Clinton, Luke Lu Yun, Timothy R.B. Johnson

Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2007

"The Safe Motherhood Initiative has highlighted the need for improved health services with skilled attendants at delivery and the provision of emegency obstetric care. 'Brain drain' has hampered this process and has been particularly prevalent in Ghana. Between 1993 and 2000, 68% of Ghanaian trained medical school graduates left the country. In 1989, post-graduate training in obstetrics and gynecology was established in Ghana, and as of November 2006, 37 of the 38 specialists who have completed the program have stayed in the country, most working in the public sector providing health care and serving as faculty. Interviews with graduates in 2002 found that the first and single-most important factor related to retention was the actual presence of a training program leading to specialty qualification in obstetrics and gynecology by the West African College of Surgeons. Economic and social factors also played major roles in graduates' decision to stay in Ghana to practice. This model deserves replication in oter countries that have a commitment to sustainable devleopment, human resouce and health services capacity building, and maternal mortality reduction. A network of University partnerships between departments of obstetrics and gynecology in developed and developing coutnries throughout the world sharing internet resources, clinical information, training curriculum and assessment techniques could be created. Grand rounds could be shared through teleconferencing, and faculty exchanges would bild capcity for all faculty and enrich both institutions. Through new partnerships, creating opportunity for medical school graduates to become obstetrician-gynecologists may reduce brain drain and maternal mortality.