Developing countries continue to lose a significant number of health care professionals to developed
countries. Malawi is not an exception. Without health workers, health care cannot be delivered. The study
assesses the determinants of brain drain of health care professionals in developing countries, the case of
Malawi health sector. Health care professionals in developing countries suffer from low wages, unbearable
working and living conditions in their country of origin and seek elsewhere for better salaries, safer working
conditions, better living conditions and a better life. This has for several years created a brain drain of skilled
labour from where it is most needed, leaving already fragile health systems even more vulnerable. However,
the study finds that so far, too little attention has been paid to organizational factors that influence brain
drain. This study presents insights on determinants of brain drain among health care professionals from
developing countries to developed countries. The paper contributes to the understanding of main factors
that influence brain drain in a developing context environment. To this end, the study informs public sector
managers and policy makers the need to address these factors if they are to curb brain drain in developing
countries