This post has already been read at least 1162 times!
Yesterday, the 28th Annual General Assembly of the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students Association (NUNSA) brought critical issues in African healthcare to the forefront. Hosted by the University of Lagos, the event centered around the theme: “Empowering Nurses: A Catalyst for Sustainable Health Care in Africa.”
A key highlight of the assembly was a powerful address from Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State. Obi brought attention to Nigeria’s critical nurse shortage, emphasizing the urgent need for investment in nursing education to fulfill domestic healthcare demands and bolster contributions to the global workforce.
A Crisis in Numbers
“Nigeria currently accounts for just about 1% of the global nursing workforce, a shocking statistic for a country of over 200 million people,” Obi said. The ramifications of this shortage are starkly evident in the nurse-to-patient ratio, which stands at 1:1,160—a figure far above the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:120.
For context, India, with a population over 1.4 billion, has achieved a ratio of 1:500 and continues to improve its metrics by investing in nursing education.
To bridge this gap, reports estimate that Nigeria needs approximately one million nurses. Currently, the country has only 200,000 registered nurses, leaving a shortfall of 800,000.
At the current rate of producing less than 15,000 nurses annually, it will take over 50 years to address this deficit, highlighting the need for immediate action.
Call to Action
With around 400 nursing schools and colleges in Nigeria, Obi advocated for targeted strategies to scale up nurse training efforts. “We need to invest more in nursing internship programs to ensure hands-on experience for newly trained nurses, preparing them to contribute effectively to our healthcare system.”
Obi concluded his address with a vision for a robust and sustainable healthcare future: “By raising an army of well-trained nurses, we can build the bedrock of a thriving healthcare sector.”
As the conference wrapped up, attendees echoed Obi’s call for action, underscoring the essential role of nurses in reshaping Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. Indeed, as Obi noted, “A New Nigeria is POssible.”
This post has already been read at least 1162 times!
