In this article, we will look at the 10 countries that need nurses the most. If you are interested in reading about an in-depth analysis of nursing shortages along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 35 Countries that Need Nurses the Most.
10. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Nurses Per 10,000: 11
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a shortage of nurses because of persistent political instability, ongoing conflicts, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Limited training institutions, poor working conditions, and low salaries also contribute to the shortage.
9. Indonesia
Nurses Per 10,000: 11
Indonesia faces a paradox of a surplus and shortage of nurses. Although there is a surplus of nursing graduates, the demand for nurses remains unmet due to the country’s suboptimal capability to recruit them. Policies to reduce production capacity and encourage nurse migration have been adopted, but challenges still persist.
8. Jamaica
Nurses Per 10,000: 10
The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) has raised concerns about hospital overcrowding and the insufficient nurse-to-patient ratio, highlighting the potential risks these issues pose to healthcare delivery.
7. Ethiopia
Nurses Per 10,000: 7.5
Ethiopia faces a nurse shortage owing to inadequate training institutions, limited resources for healthcare, rural-urban disparities, low salaries, and a high burden of disease. These challenges contribute to a lack of skilled nurses in the country.
6. Ivory Coast
Nurses Per 10,000: 7
Ivory Coast experiences a shortage of nurses due to several factors. These include a high nurse-to-patient ratio, inadequate training institutions, limited resources, and political instability. It is one of the countries with the highest demand for nurses.
5. Bangladesh
Nurses Per 10,000: 6
Bangladesh has only 24% of the required nurses available with rising unemployment among nursing graduates. The shortage is attributed to a lack of nursing colleges and inadequate recognition of the profession.
4. Haiti
Nurses Per 10,000: 4
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and faces a severe shortage of nurses. The country has an rough history of internal political instability, external interventions, and frequent natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. The devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 intensified the already enduring effects of the 2010 earthquake which triggered a debilitating cholera epidemic and therefore increased the demand for nurses even more.
3. Madagascar
Nurses Per 10,000: 2.9
Madagascar faces a nursing shortage due to inadequate infrastructure and a weak education system. Despite being a peaceful country, many people rely on traditional medicine over modern healthcare. Collaborative efforts with the WHO have encouraged traditional healers to offer healthcare services, including vaccinations, expanding healthcare options for the population.
2. Central African Republic
Nurses Per 10,000: 2.5
The Central African Republic (CAR) is currently going through severe healthcare crisis with inadequate access to medical services, insufficient staff, and a dire shortage of resources. Only 0.6 doctors are available per 10,000 people, with less than half of the healthcare facilities fully operational. The situation is worsened by decades of conflict and violence, leaving over half of the CAR’s population in need of humanitarian aid. Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the countries that need nurses the most.
1. Sierra Leone
Nurses Per 10,000: 1
Sierra Leone is grappling with a severe shortage of nurses as there is an 83% vacancy rate in the healthcare sector. The lack of licensed nurses and midwives contributes to challenges in providing comprehensive care for pregnant women and newborns. It is the country that needs nurses the most.
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