Pandemic Exposes Urgent Need for More Nurses Worldwide, WHO Says

(Bloomberg) -- The Covid-19 pandemic has brought into sharp relief an urgent need for more nurses worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

There will be a global shortage of 4.6 million nurses by 2030 without more investment in the profession, the WHO projected in a report. The number of nursing graduates needs to increase by an average of 8% a year, and governments should address issues such as pay, training, career opportunities and working conditions to retain them in the field, the report said.

“The case for investing in the nursing workforce has never been clearer,” said Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific. “Right now, nurses are on the front lines of the Covid-19 fight, working tirelessly to save lives and protect others in their community.”

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Countries of all income levels struggle to some degree with recruiting, training and retaining enough health-care personnel, according to the WHO. The agency has projected a worldwide shortfall of some 18 million health workers -- including doctors, nurses and other medical staff -- by 2030.

The Western Pacific region has 20.6 nursing graduates per 100,000 population, which is fewer than the global average of 22.6, according to the report. It also has the highest proportion of women nurses. Half are under age 35, and many have left their countries of origin to work in higher-income areas. The most acute nursing shortages in the region are in low- and middle-income countries, the report said.

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