Open and free migration for nurses in sub-Saharan Africa: a remedy for quality health care

Abstract

The migration of nurses from countries in sub-Saharan Africa to developed countries is a process of globalisation that cannot be avoided. It has caused a lot of challenges in the provision of quality health care at all levels. The majority of the members of the healthcare team are nurses who leave their home country for developed countries in search of greener pastures. This leads to shortages and challenges in the home country negatively affecting that country. Hence, open and free migration for nurses in sub-Saharan Africa is not a remedy for quality health care.

In conclusion, open and free migration of nurses in sub-Saharan Africa is a classic global health issue that can be remedied. I therefore recommend that sub-Saharan African countries should put more effort into the provision of multinational, bilateral and domestic strategies to lessen the loss of nurses to developed countries, thereby improving the quality of health of its populace.