Nigeria lost over 11,000 nurses to developed countries in 3 years – NANNM

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has said that over 11, 000 nurses left the country to developed countries between 2019 and 2022.

At a press briefing which is part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Nurses Week, President of the association, Michael Nnachi said the brain drain was as a result of the “terrible working conditions and tremendous suffering” of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nnachi who revealed that over 5,000 nurses and midwives worldwide lost their lives during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, added that the country is witnessing shortage of nurses because of mass migration.

He disclosed that there’s need to invest in nursing workforce and consider special salary package for nurses  to address brain drain.

Nnachi also called on the Federal Ministry of Health to regulate the migration of nurses and midwives to reduce the negative effects of brain drain in the country’s health sector.