In a bid to address the growing health workforce crisis, the World Health Organisation recently identified 55 countries, including Nigeria, that are facing pressing health workforce challenges. However, the United Kingdom Government has just placed Nigeria and other countries on the red list, urging health and social care employers not to actively recruit from these countries unless there is a government-to-government agreement in place.
According to the UK government’s website, the country identification follows the methodology contained in the 10-year review of relevance and effectiveness of the WHO global code of practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. The countries on the red list should instead be prioritised for health personnel development and health system-related support
The WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards list grades countries in red in the code, indicating that they should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers, recruitment organisations, agencies, collaborations, or contracting bodies unless there is a government-to-government agreement in place. Amber countries, such as Kenya and Nepal, where international recruitment is only permitted in compliance with the terms of the government-to-government agreement, can be added if such an agreement is put in place.
Active recruitment is permitted from green-graded countries, such as India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka, where there is a government-to-government agreement with the UK in place for international health and care workforce recruitment.
This move by the UK government could exacerbate Nigeria’s brain drain, which has been ongoing for years, as healthcare professionals seek better pay, working conditions and training opportunities in other countries. It is important for Nigeria to address the underlying issues that contribute to the brain drain and to invest in improving the health sector to retain healthcare professionals.
Healthcare stakeholders in Nigeria must explore ways to address the pressing health workforce challenges, as it is important to improve the country’s healthcare sector for the benefit of its citizens