WHO Raises Alarm Over Attacks, Shortage Of Nurses, Midwives In Eastern Mediterranean
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As conflicts, insecurity and workforce shortages continue to strain health systems across the Eastern Mediterranean, the World Health Organisation has warned that nurses and midwives are carrying an unsustainable burden on the frontline of care.
Speaking during an online seminar to mark International Nurses Day and International Day of the Midwife, Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, said the region accounted for 42 per cent of global attacks on healthcare in 2025, with 90 per cent of related deaths recorded there.
According to her, nurses and midwives continue to work in unsafe and high-pressure environments while trying to sustain essential healthcare services amid growing crises.
Dr Balkhy noted that nearly one-third of countries in the region still fall below the minimum workforce density required to deliver essential services, while many nations struggle to train, recruit and retain health workers.
She also expressed concern over the growing uncertainty facing young and newly qualified nurses due to limited career opportunities, overwhelming workloads and displacement caused by insecurity.
The WHO Regional Director stressed that this year’s theme, “Invest in, empower and protect our nurses and midwives to save lives,” reflects the urgent need for sustained investment in healthcare workers.
She said the WHO is supporting countries to strengthen workforce planning, improve education and training through digital learning, and reinforce governance and professional standards across the region.
Dr Balkhy described nurses and midwives as the backbone of healthcare systems, saying they remain central to primary healthcare delivery and essential services, especially in the most difficult settings.
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