Development Must Start With Basics

Staff Author / December 07, 2010

A recent Reuters article on Chinese health care points to a problem endemic in much of the developing world: a massive shortage of trained health care workers. China’s problem is unique in that it has the money for equipment, and is supplying top-notch tools and clinics, but as it considers spreading health care coverage to its rural areas, it does not have enough skilled technicians and doctors to work the equipment and run the clinics.

A man whose company trains rural doctors says, “The single biggest issue today is still the skill level of practicing officials in the rural areas… Purchasing equipment is quick and easy. Education and training is not a simple issue that can be directly solved by money.” (more…)