The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarms over a significant exodus of nurses from Africa, with 42% expressing intentions to emigrate. This trend poses a severe threat to the continent’s already strained healthcare systems.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted this issue in his message marking International Nurses Day on May 10, 2025.
While the global nursing workforce has seen an increase from approximately 28 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2025, disparities remain. Dr. Ihekweazu pointed out that nearly 80% of nursemaids serve only 49% of the world’s population, underscoring severe inequities in healthcare delivery.
He emphasised that nurses represent nearly 70% of the health workforce and are essential every day and indispensable in times of crisis.
Despite recent investments in nursing education and training in Africa, the nurse-to-population ratio remains one of the lowest globally, significantly lower than in high-income countries. Nursemaids account for 66% of Africa’s projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030, a gap that limits access to essential healthcare services and hinders progress towards universal health coverage.
The WHO’s 2025 International Nurses Day theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies,” underscores the importance of supporting nurses to build resilient, equitable, and thriving health systems.
Addressing the factors driving nurse emigration, such as low wages, poor working conditions, and limited career opportunities, is crucial to retaining healthcare professionals and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare services across Africa.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
