World Health Day: SGU Moves to Bridge Africa’s Growing Doctor Shortage

As the world marks this year’s World Health Day, St. George’s University School of Medicine has said it is strengthening medical training opportunities for African students as part of efforts to address the continent’s growing shortage of doctors. The institution said the move comes amid rising global concerns over a widening health workforce gap, with […]

As the world marks this year’s World Health Day, St. George’s University School of Medicine has said it is strengthening medical training opportunities for African students as part of efforts to address the continent’s growing shortage of doctors.

The institution said the move comes amid rising global concerns over a widening health workforce gap, with a warning it could undermine healthcare delivery, particularly in developing regions.

Quoting estimates by the World Health Organisation, the institution warned that the world could face a deficit of about 10 million health workers by 2030, with the most severe shortages expected in low- and middle-income countries.

The university through its media team noted that Africa remains one of the regions most affected by the imbalance, accounting for about 24 per cent of the global disease burden but having only around three per cent of the world’s health workforce.

The institution said the situation underscores the urgent need to expand medical education and create sustainable pathways for training doctors who can support healthcare systems across the continent.

“Addressing the challenge goes beyond meeting current demand. It requires building sustainable pathways that enable students to access training opportunities while supporting long-term contributions to healthcare systems across Africa.”

SGU explained that its programmes were designed to equip students with the skills and clinical exposure needed to operate effectively in complex healthcare environments.

According to the university, its curriculum integrates foundational sciences, early clinical exposure and multidisciplinary training aimed at preparing graduates for modern healthcare systems.

It added that aspiring doctors from different academic backgrounds could enrol through multiple pathways, including the four-year Doctor of Medicine programme as well as extended five-, six- and seven-year tracks.

The university noted that students also gain hands-on experience through clinical training at more than 75 affiliated hospitals and health centres in the United States and the United Kingdom.

SGU said the approach allows students to apply their medical knowledge in real healthcare environments while gaining international exposure.

With more than 25,000 graduates practising medicine across various countries, the institution said its alumni continue to contribute to addressing global physician shortages while bringing cross-cultural perspectives to patient care.

The university also highlighted its dual MD/MPH degree programme, which combines clinical medicine with public health disciplines such as epidemiology, health policy and population health.

It said the programme equips future physicians with the knowledge required to tackle healthcare challenges not only at the patient level but also at community and systems levels.

SGU stressed that expanding access to high-quality medical education remains critical as countries work towards achieving universal health coverage targets.

“Strengthening physician training pathways is not simply an academic priority; it is a strategic healthcare imperative,” the institution added