West African Health Organization reviews plan to retain medical workers

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) has convened a workshop in Abuja to review a regional work plan aimed at motivating and retaining health workers across ECOWAS member countries. The initiative addresses critical shortages caused by migration, low remuneration, and delayed salaries.

Stakeholders noted that while sub-Saharan Africa carries approximately 24 per cent of the global disease burden, it possesses only a small fraction of the world's health workforce. The World Health Organization estimates that Africa will require an additional 4.2 million health workers by 2030.

Participants, including representatives from the West African College of Surgeons, emphasized that medical infrastructure alone cannot guarantee quality healthcare without a motivated and supported workforce. The meeting seeks to finalize strategies to improve working conditions and create an enabling environment to combat the 'brain drain' affecting the region.