African nations unveil decade-long plan to address health worker shortage

African nations are confronting a projected deficit of more than six million health workers by 2035, prompting a coordinated response at a high‑level gathering of health ministers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The ministers unveiled a new decade‑long strategy on Wednesday aimed at bolstering the continent’s health‑care workforce and averting the looming shortfall.

The plan, endorsed by representatives from across the region, outlines a comprehensive approach that includes expanding training capacities, improving retention through better working conditions and remuneration, and mobilising financing to support workforce development. It also calls for stronger partnerships with educational institutions, private‑sector providers, and international agencies to align curricula with emerging health needs and to facilitate the migration of skilled personnel within Africa. By setting measurable targets and establishing a monitoring framework, the initiative seeks to address both immediate staffing gaps and long‑term sustainability of health services.

If fully implemented, the strategy is expected to narrow the projected gap, enhance service delivery, and contribute to broader health‑system resilience across the continent. Ministers agreed to reconvene periodically to assess progress and adjust actions as needed, underscoring a collective commitment to securing a robust health workforce for the next decade.