The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has revealed that over 11, 000 nurses left Nigeria for developed countries between 2019 and 2022.

During a press briefing which is part of activities to mark this year’s International Nurses Week, President of the association, Michael Nnachi disclosed that the brain drain was as a result of the “terrible working conditions and tremendous suffering” of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nnachi revealed that over 5,000 nurses and midwives worldwide died during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and added that Nigeria is witnessing shortage of nurses owing to mass migration.

He revealed that there’s need for investment in nursing workforce and consideration of special salary package for nurses to tackle brain drain.

Also, Nnachi called on the Federal Ministry of Health to regulate the migration of nurses and midwives to lower the negative effects of brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.