Resources
Some key insights from articles that highlight healthcare workforce shortages in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs):
- Chronic Underinvestment and Maldistribution: Many LMICs suffer from persistent underinvestment in training and employing health workers. This is compounded by the difficulty of retaining professionals in rural and underserved areas. Moreover, migration of healthcare workers to higher-income countries exacerbates shortages in their home countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, only 3% of the global health workforce serves 25% of the global disease burden
- International Comparisons: A benchmark density of 34.5 skilled health professionals per 10,000 population has been set for achieving universal health coverage. However, many LMICs fall far below this threshold. For instance, a significant disparity exists between urban and rural regions, where staffing shortages are most acute
- Impacts of Shortages: Staff shortages directly affect access to essential services, such as maternal and child health, treatment for infectious diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, and emergency care. Overburdened workers in these settings often face burnout, absenteeism, and sometimes leave the profession entirely, further straining health systems
- Future Projections and Challenges: By 2030, LMICs are expected to face even greater shortages due to factors such as population growth, aging healthcare workers, and limited capacity to absorb new graduates into the workforce. Targeted investments in education, retention, and fair distribution are necessary to address these gaps