HEALTH - More Deaths Of Nurses Worldwide

    

Geneva Dec 14 2021

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) said the number of nurses globally is steadily falling following the spread of the Omicron virus.

It referred to The World Health Organization findings which estimate that at least 115,000 nurses have died from the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the world.

ICN, which is based in Geneva, represents 27 million nurses in 130 national associations.

This alarming number is said to be from the start of the pandemic through May this year but the actual figure could be possibly be double the amount.

CEO of ICN, Howard Catton, on Friday claimed that many nurses are burned out from the Covid-19 pandemic and that of their intention to resign have doubled up to 30 per cent.

Catton said there was already a global shortage of at least 6 million nurses before the pandemic began and some 4.75 million nurses are expected to retire over the next few years.

He also noted that there is an imbalance present as Western countries increase their recruitment of healthcare workers from Africa and other poorer nations.

Catton said wealthier countries have nearly 10 times the ratio of nurses in relation to their populations compared with poorer countries, adding that the Philippines and India are among the main exporters.

The Omicron coronavirus variant, first detected last month in southern Africa and Hong Kong is now reported in about 60 countries, raising the fear level across the globe.