The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has called on African governments to create the necessary investment and improve the attractiveness of the nursing profession to revitalize 80% of primary health care in the region.
Dr. Moeti made the call at a message for this year’s International Nurses day themed Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and Respect Rights to Secure Global Health could not be more appropriate.
She said boosting investment will require proper equipment, better working conditions, appropriate education, upskilling opportunities, and job creation while optimizing Nursing leadership with chief nursing and midwifery officers to drive the nursing agenda across education, employment, policy, and practice.
The Regional Director for Africa further noted there are highlighted shortages of nursing globally and Africa in particular due to the global COVID-19 health emergency, thus advocating the need to act now so as to attain at least 70% of the Universal Health service coverage index by 2030.
“The WHO African Region has long grappled with a severe shortage of nurses which, if left unaddressed, poses a significant threat to our progress towards Universal Health Coverage. According to the latest estimates, there are 1.6 million nurses and midwives across our 47 Member States.
A total of 66% of nurses are concentrated in six countries – Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Nigeria has the highest share of the headcount of nurses at 21%, followed by South Africa at 18%.
The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives to realize the health-related global Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. WHO in Africa’s analysis has identified a threshold of about 60 nurses and midwives per 10 000 people as a critical point for attaining at least 70% of the Universal Health service coverage index. Currently, most countries have fewer than 20, with the number dropping way below even that for many across the continent.
As WHO in Africa, we are supporting Member States to strengthen nursing and midwifery through the implementation of the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (SDNM) 2021-2025, and an inter-related set of policy priorities to guide the contributions of nurses and midwives to achieve Universal Health Coverage, and other population health goals.
In our continuing efforts to give nurses a voice, WHO established the Nursing and Midwifery Global Community of Practice virtual network, a forum for nurses and midwives around the world to collaborate with one another, with WHO, and with other key stakeholders.
Nurses have a critical role to play in Primary Health Care delivery, often being the first – and only – health professional a patient will see. They contribute to research, disease prevention, treating the injured, administering palliative care, and more. They are the true unsung heroes on the front lines of disease prevention and care.
It’s common cause that investing in nurses and midwives is good value for money. The case for investing in nursing education, jobs, and leadership is clear, and it’s time to commit to action.”
International Nurses’ Day is celebrated annually on 12 May in memory of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, and as well raise awareness of the challenges they face despite global health threats.
