TY - JOUR T1 - Decisions and elevators JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 398 LP - 398 VL - 54 IS - 502 AU - Andre Kruger Y1 - 2004/05/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/54/502/398.abstract N2 - South Africa: poor ‘third world’ country, 45 million people, about 30 000 doctors (1 per 1500).The UK: prosperous ‘first world’ economy, 60 million people, more than 140 000 doctors (1 per 400).South Africa's surplus doctors are desperately needed to relieve the critical shortage of doctors in the UK.As one of these, I have experienced first-hand the delivery of health care in both systems. I'd fly back to South Africa should I be taken ill in the UK.Starting my first practice in South Africa, I had to convince a bank manager that, besides the debt incurred over 7 years at medical school (all paid by myself and my hard-working wife), I was creditworthy for a bond to purchase a house, part of which I converted to a medical practice. Quickly learned plastering and painting: no money for contractors. All our income depended on … ER -