Table 3

Summary of educational cost and lost returns from investment

Institution

Doctor

Nurse

Primary school cost (US$)

10 963

10 963

Secondary school cost (US$)

6 865

6 865

Tertiary institution cost (US$)

48 169

25 352

Total Cost (US$)^a

65 997

43 180

Total cost compounded at an average interest rate of 6.65% over 32 years (US$)^b

517,931

338,868

Total cost compounded at an interest rate of 5% over 32 years (US$)^c

314,472

205,750

Total cost compounded at an interest rate of 15.64% over 32 years (US$)^d

6,902,125

4,515,869

Notes: ^aThis is the money invested in training of a doctor and a nurse.

^bIs the return from investment lost (at 6.65% interest rate) when a single doctor or nurse emigrates.

^cIs the return from investment lost (at 5% interest rate) when a single doctor or nurse emigrates.

^dIs the return from investment lost (at 15.64% interest rate) when a single doctor or nurse emigrates.

Kirigia et al. BMC Health Services Research 2006 6:89   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-6-89