Africa sets 10-year plan to train 3 million health workers

ADDIS ABABA, 27 AUGUST 2026 —

Africa Unveils 10-Year Plan to Train 3 Million Health Workers Amid Critical Shortage

The programme aims to train, employ and retain three million additional health workers, marking a major push to strengthen health systems across the continent. Current figures show Africa’s health workforce has grown to nearly 5.72 million professionals in 2024, yet this remains only about 46% of the required workforce to meet essential health service needs.

“Our Member States have recognised that training health professionals is only the beginning,” said Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. The new plan seeks to address systemic gaps by improving workforce planning, expanding quality training, creating employment opportunities and retaining skilled professionals in underserved areas.

Despite progress, Africa faces a paradox: while health facilities struggle with severe staff shortages, nearly one million trained health professionals remain unemployed, with recent graduates particularly affected. In many countries, more than half of newly qualified nurses, doctors and midwives are unable to secure jobs shortly after completing their training.

WHO emphasises the need to align education and training with labour-market demand, job creation and sustainable financing. The programme provides countries with a structured roadmap to address these challenges, including long-term workforce planning and targeted retention strategies.

Economically, closing Africa’s health workforce gap would require an additional $4 to $6 per person annually, but the returns are significant. WHO estimates that every dollar invested in health workers could generate up to $10 in economic benefits, alongside broader social returns—such as improved health, higher productivity and stronger economies—estimated at roughly 30 times the initial investment.

Deliberations on policies and priorities continue in Addis Ababa through August 28, with decisions expected to shape the region’s health agenda for the coming year. Among the key outcomes is a newly endorsed regional strategy focused on giving every child the best possible start in life, requiring coordinated action across health, nutrition, social protection, water and sanitation, education and finance sectors.

The strategy underscores the critical role of parents, caregivers and communities in supporting child survival, growth, learning and development. WHO highlights that no single sector can meet these needs alone, calling for integrated, multi-sectoral approaches to ensure sustainable progress.

For Malaysia and Southeast Asia, the initiative carries regional implications. While Malaysia has made strides in strengthening its health workforce—with a doctor-to-patient ratio of approximately 1:650 and a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:250—regional collaboration remains in addressing cross-border health challenges, including workforce mobility and disease surveillance.

Regional health experts note that Africa’s workforce crisis could impact global health security, particularly in areas such as infectious disease control and pandemic preparedness. Strengthening health systems in Africa may also reduce pressure on international health resources and improve global health equity.

Stakeholders in Malaysia’s health sector acknowledge the importance of sustainable workforce planning. “Investing in health workers is not just a regional necessity but a global responsibility,” said a senior official from Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, who requested anonymity. “Collaboration in training, technology transfer and policy alignment can benefit all nations.”

The WHO Africa programme aligns with broader global health goals, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By 2035, the initiative aims to not only close the workforce gap but also create a more resilient, equitable and responsive health system across the continent.

As discussions continue in Addis Ababa, the focus remains on turning policy into action. With Africa’s population expected to grow rapidly, the stakes are high. The success of this 10-year plan will depend on sustained political commitment, adequate financing and implementation at both national and regional levels.

For now, the message from Addis Ababa is clear: Africa is taking bold steps to secure its health future—but the road ahead will require unity, innovation and unwavering dedication.

Related: Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi · Addis Ababa