The African continent could face a devastating shortage of 5.3 million healthcare professionals by 2030 if immediate action is not taken, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
The crisis is particularly acute in Nigeria, which currently ranks as having the third-largest absolute shortage of health workers globally, with a deficit approaching one million healthcare professionals.
Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop for health journalists in Abuja, WHO Technical Officer for Human Resources for Health (HRH), Dr. Muyiwa Ojo, painted a grim picture of the continent’s healthcare future.
“The strength of every health system reflects the capacity and adequacy of its workforce, which is necessary to deliver quality services to address population health needs. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s shortage of health workers is one of the most severe globally,” Dr. Ojo said.
The crisis in Nigeria stems from multiple systemic issues, including poor HRH planning, uneven workforce distribution, and inadequate recruitment and retention policies. These challenges are further compounded by the growing problem of brain drain, as medical professionals seek opportunities abroad.
Dr. Ojo identified several key factors contributing to the healthcare workforce crisis, including labour market failures, insufficient education and training resources, and inadequate funding for the health sector. These issues, he noted, not only diminish the quality of healthcare delivery but also undermine efforts to meet public health demands effectively.
The WHO workshop aims to raise awareness about these challenges and promote discussion of potential solutions to strengthen the continent’s healthcare systems, with a particular focus on addressing the critical situation in Nigeria.
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