Japa worsening health sector crises – Unions

Japa

Healthcare workers have warned that the continued migration of nurses from Nigeria is exacerbating the country’s healthcare crises, leading to increased waiting times, higher morbidity, and rising mortality rates.

Their concerns follow a statement by the acting World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, issued in commemoration of the 2025 International Nurses Day.

Ihekweazu noted that 42 per cent of nurses in Africa had expressed intentions to emigrate.

This year’s Nurses Day, observed on May 12, had the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies.”

According to the latest report by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council, no fewer than 14,815 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives have been licensed to practise in the United Kingdom from 2017 to September 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, 13,656 Nigerian nurses and midwives were working in the UK. That number rose by 1,159 in just six months.

Nigeria now ranks third among non-UK countries supplying nursing professionals to Britain, following India (67,576) and the Philippines (50,180).

Ihekweazu warned that nurses represent nearly 70 per cent of the health workforce in Africa, forming the foundation of healthcare systems.

Yet despite the number of nurses doubling from 900,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023, the region still lags behind global standards, with nurse-to-population ratios more than ten times lower than in high-income countries.

“Nurses account for 66 per cent of Africa’s projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030,” he said. “This shortage affects access to vital services—from maternal and child health to chronic disease care—and threatens progress toward universal health coverage.”