Africa: More Health Workers, Stronger Systems - Africa's New Ambitious Goal

Facing a predicted shortage of over six million health professionals by 2035, African countries are intensifying efforts to bolster their workforce. This initiative, unveiled on Wednesday during a health ministers' meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is part of the Health Workforce Management Programme in Africa (2026-2035). The ten-year plan seeks to reshape health-sector labor markets by training, employing, and retaining three million additional health workers to strengthen health systems across the continent.

Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, stressed that the program converts evidence into actionable steps and political commitments into long-term investments for Africa's health workforce and the well-being of its people. While Africa's health workforce has expanded to nearly 5.72 million professionals in 2024, the continent still falls short of the required 46%.

Approximately one million trained health professionals are currently unemployed, with recent graduates facing particular challenges finding work. The new program offers countries a framework to enhance workforce planning, enhance training quality, generate more employment opportunities, and retain skilled professionals in areas where they are most needed.

WHO emphasizes the economic merits of investing in health workers, estimating that closing the workforce gap would require investing $4 to $6 per person annually. The potential returns are significant, with every dollar invested in health workers potentially generating up to $10 in economic benefits and around $30 in broader social returns through improved health, higher productivity, and stronger economies.

Discussions on policies and priorities are slated for the Addis Ababa meeting, concluding on August 28. These deliberations will influence the region's health agenda for the upcoming year and beyond, including a newly endorsed regional strategy aimed at ensuring every child receives the best possible start in life. This strategy calls for collaborative efforts across various sectors, recognizing that no single area can address the needs of children independently.

Central to this strategy is the commitment to supporting parents, caregivers, and communities, who play a crucial role in children's survival, growth, learning, and overall well-being.