Ukrainian hospitals continue to provide care to patients despite the ongoing war. WHO warns of shortage of health workers in Ukraine Healthcare
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, dedicated to the analysis of the medical labour market in Ukraine, has revealed serious problems faced by Ukrainian doctors. The report, prepared with financial support from the European Union, speaks of a critical shortage of personnel in the health sector, as well as a serious burden on medical personnel.
At the launch of the report in Kyiv, Dr Natassia Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Policy and Systems at WHO/Europe, presented the findings of the study to educators, health workers and policy makers. The focus of the discussion was the shortage of nurses and doctors in key specialties.
“Health systems cannot function without health workers,” said Azzopardi-Muscat. “Ukraine needs to invest in health workers, who are the foundation of resilient and sustainable health systems.”
Workforce imbalance
The report, Results of an initial health labour market analysis in Ukraine, highlights the need for targeted policies to address the workforce imbalance, including improving incentives for rural recruitment, improving working conditions and strategic workforce planning. WHO has developed a system for Ukraine to forecast health workforce needs over the next 5-10 years, taking into account trends such as urban migration and population changes.
Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine, stressed the urgent need for action: “This report highlights that the nursing shortage is not only a health system issue, but a national priority. Nurses play a key role in delivering health care and building trust in the system, especially in times of crisis. With strong partnerships and decisive action, Ukraine can build a more equitable and resilient healthcare system.”
Aging Healthcare Workforce
The aging health workforce is a pressing issue that impacts the sustainability of human capital in healthcare. According to the report, more than half of the country’s doctors are over 50, and 29 percent are over 60, with a quarter of them at risk of retirement.
This demographic shift exacerbates workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas, where disparities are significant: only 17 percent of doctors and 7 percent of nurses serve the 30 percent of the population living in rural areas. The density of doctors in rural areas is half that of urban areas, highlighting the urgent need for an equitable distribution of health workers.