According to the World Health Organization (WHO), African nations and global health partners have made a significant agreement: a 10-year Health Workforce Agenda for Africa (2026–2035). This plan aims to improve how health workers are trained, deployed, and retained. The agreement came together during a meeting in Pretoria from November 24 to 26, 2025.
A Collaborative Approach
Representatives from various sectors, including governments, universities, and health experts, worked together to shape this agenda. The final agreement is set to be officially approved in 2026, kicking off a decade of focused changes.
Key Focus Areas
The new strategy centers on five main areas:
- Strengthening leadership in health care.
- Modernizing training and educational systems.
- Enhancing job conditions and fair distribution of workers.
- Increasing targeted investments through the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter.
- Creating reliable data systems for better planning.
This unified approach aims not only to increase the number of health workers but also to ensure they are well-prepared and supported.
Current Challenges
Despite notable progress—increase from 1.6 million health workers in 2013 to 5.1 million in 2022—Africa will still face a shortage of 6.1 million workers by 2030. Many countries struggle with outdated training methods, lack of facilities, and high unemployment rates among graduates. The migration of skilled professionals is another ongoing issue.
Experts at the meeting stressed the need for comprehensive reforms in education, employment, financing, and service delivery to resolve these challenges. They warned that without urgent action, health goals for many nations could remain unmet.
Voices for Change
Dr. Adelheid Onyango, from the WHO, highlighted the importance of creating a workforce that can provide high-quality, patient-centered care. She cautioned that failure to act could widen the gap between health needs and available services.
Dr. Percy Mahlathi from South Africa echoed this sentiment, viewing the agenda as a vital opportunity for improving support for health workers across the continent. He emphasized that success hinges on collaboration and a shared commitment.
Preparation for the Future
In 2025, extensive groundwork was laid for the agenda. This included:
- Reviewing current strategies.
- Analyzing evidence from a 17-member Expert Group.
- Conducting consultations at national and continental levels.
The Pretoria meeting was the final step before the formal adoption in 2026.
Moving Forward with Commitment
WHO urges continuous political and financial support from governments and partners. Dr. James Asamani noted that the Pretoria meeting solidified a shared commitment to transforming Africa’s health workforce in the next decade. Optimism is high that this collective effort will advance universal health coverage and enhance care quality for millions in Africa.
As Africa prepares for the new agenda, the emphasis on collaboration and accountability will be crucial in overcoming existing challenges in the health sector.
