Accra: Governments across Africa have been urged to invest in the data collection capacity of nurses and midwives to facilitate their conduct of research and provide robust data on their contributions to health, making them more visible. Professor Wu Ying, the Dean of Clinical Nursing College, Capital Medical University, China, and Vice President of the Chinese Nursing Association, highlighted the importance of this investment during the opening ceremony of the maiden African Nurses and Midwives Confederation conference in Accra, organized by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
According to Ghana News Agency, the five-day conference, which concludes on February 24, 2025, has seen participation from 17 African countries. The event is themed 'Nurses and Midwives, Fostering Health for all in Africa.' Professor Wu emphasized that while nurses contribute significantly to the healthcare system, their visibility and contributions to clinical outcomes and economic benefits are not adequately showcased due to a lack of data.
Professor Wu pointed out that nursing is often perceived merely as caregiving and assisting physicians, but nurses provide critical interventions not offered by physicians. They play a vital role in primary healthcare by preventing adverse events, ensuring patient safety, preventing hospital-acquired infections, aiding vaccination efforts, managing pandemics, and addressing disease management. Additionally, nurses are instrumental in tackling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), promoting mental health, and supporting individuals throughout their life cycle.
Despite their economic contributions, nurses and midwives face challenges with visibility. Locally untested and unvalidated data often fail to capture their unique contributions. Professor Wu stressed the need for governments to recognize the economic benefits of nursing, as healthcare outcomes are crucial but often overshadowed by economic priorities. To enhance visibility, she suggested developing PhD nursing education programs, establishing national research training programs, providing well-designed data collection tools, and leveraging digital and AI technologies.
Dr. Frank Lule, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, noted that as of 2022, the number of nursing professionals in the African region increased to about 17 per 10,000 people, reflecting a growth of 7.9 percent over 10 years. The midwifery density has doubled to roughly three per 10,000 people, yet there is still work to be done to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of 44.5 per 10,000.
Dr. Lule emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation of nurses and midwives to develop the profession further. He urged the African nurses and midwifery community to overcome existing challenges and strive for a healthier, more equitable future for all on the continent. He called on the confederation to assess achievements, address challenges, and chart a course for improving the health and well-being of communities.
Mr. Daniel Oberko, the Regional Secretary for Africa and Arabs at Public Services International (PSI), commended the GRNMA for organizing the conference and pledged PSI's support in implementing their strategies. He urged African governments to enforce practical measures to address corruption.
