Africa has a challenge to retain the health workers it needs.
The World Health Organization estimates a global shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, with Africa predicted to face shortages ranging from five million to six million workers. The shortfall is calculated according to disease burden and health population needs. This is the population’s size and demography together with the prevalence of diseases and risk factors, and type and frequency of health interventions planned or necessary to address the identified diseases, conditions and risk factors.
This shortage is deeply unequal. Many of the 83 countries already below the recommended minimum workforce threshold are in Africa, where in 2022 only four countries (Seychelles, Namibia, Mauritius and South Africa) had more than the recommended ratio of 4.45 doctors, nurses and midwives per 1,000 people. Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, Benin, South Sudan, Chad, Central African Republic and Niger reported less than 0.5 doctors, nurses and midwives per 1,000 people in 2018. In many African countries, it’s difficult to deliver basic services, reduce preventable deaths and achieve universal health coverage.
