Invest in nurses to fight the pandemic, rebuild shattered health

The world may face a severe shortage of nurses in the aftermath of the pandemic if it does not take action.

Nurses around the world are in crisis, whether they are in the eye of the COVID-19 storm in India, the exhausted ranks of Britain’s workforce, organising against a 1 percent pay rise offer, or in Kenya where, in some areas, they have not been paid at all for months. Underpaid, undervalued and under-supported: nurses are reporting unprecedented levels of stress and burnout. The International Council of Nurses says the “COVID-19 effect” means the global nurse shortage is now six million, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries. This has to change. If we are to beat this and future pandemics and address the spiralling burden of non-communicable diseases and mental illnesses, a strong, motivated nursing workforce will be the backbone of our efforts.