Voice of America - September 3, 2007
Ndimyake Mwakalyelye
Washington

Despite Zimbabwe's strides in recent years in achieving significant reductions in the country's HIV prevalance rate, some experts worry that such gains could be reversed if the emigration of health care professionals to other countries continues unabated.

A joint project established by the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Buffalo in Upstate New York aims to stem the health care brain drain from Zimbabwe.

Co-founder Dr. Chiedza Maponga, who divides his time between the two campuses, said he hoped the project, launched last month with Dr. Gene Morse of the University of Buffalo, will provide an incentive for young, skilled medical professionals to stay in Zimbabwe to help the country fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Graduate student Tinashe Mudzviti of the University of Zimbabwe recently completed the project's six-week training course at the University of Buffalo. Dr. Maponga said he hoped to recruit between 15-20 students over the five-year span of the project.

Dr. Maponga told reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that of all the challenges facing those engaged in the battle against HIV infection and the deadly disease of AIDS, the lack of skilled professionals is the greatest.

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