Pulse.ng : Don urges FG to invest in Nursing education to strengthen the economy

By Stella Kabruk

A medical expert, Prof. Saleh Ngaski-Garba, has urged the Federal Government to invest in nursing education, employment, retention, and improved working conditions, stressing that such investments would significantly strengthen the nation’s economy.

Ngaski-Garba, who lectures at the Department of Nursing Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, made the call in a keynote address at the 37th Annual Scientific Conference of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives of Federal Health Institutions (NANNM-FHI) held at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna.

The conference, themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens the Economy — A Strategic Investment,” underscored the vital role nurses play in achieving sustainable healthcare systems and economic stability.

According to Ngaski-Garba, as global populations age and healthcare demands rise, a strong and well-supported nursing workforce becomes essential for maintaining economic resilience and managing healthcare costs effectively.

He noted that healthcare expenditure is projected to reach nearly 20 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2032, making nursing efficiency and effectiveness increasingly central to economic sustainability.

“Nurses are key members of the healthcare team and one of the major stakeholders in healthcare delivery systems across the world,” he said. “They are often the first to detect health emergencies and stand at the frontline of disease prevention and primary healthcare delivery.”

The professor further highlighted that nurses and midwives account for over 60 per cent of the global skilled health workforce, with higher proportions in developing countries. He added that no global health agenda could succeed without their sustained contributions.

“Their roles within inter-professional health teams are enormous and crucial to achieving success in healthcare delivery,” he said, noting that about half of WHO member states report fewer than three nurses per 1,000 population.

In his remarks, the National President of NANNM, Haruna Mamman, commended the leadership of the federal health institutions association for their efforts in continually updating members’ professional knowledge. Represented by Dr. Nana Takai, Mamman assured the association of continued support from the national body.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Olajide-Rilwan, said the conference served as a reminder to government of the strategic importance of investing in nursing through improved welfare, training, and retraining of nurses.

Olajide-Rilwan commended the Federal Government for officially launching the Strategic Direction for Nursing and Midwifery (SDNM) at the last Nursing Summit in Abuja on October 9. He, however, called for expedited action to conclude ongoing discussions at the collective bargaining committee.

“We are no longer comfortable with the endless committee meetings. Dialogue remains the best approach for ensuring a conducive working environment, as no institution can address establishment matters in isolation,” he said.