(10/01/2025) Research Center in Advancing Community Healthcare (REACH) at Universitas Airlangga held a fruitful discussion on the utilization of Indonesian nurses in the global workforce in collaboration with the Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection (BP2MI). The event, led by Prof. Ferry Efendi, S.Kep., Ns., MSc., PhD., as Chair, focused on strategies to enhance the international mobility of Indonesian nurses to meet global healthcare demands. Participants included Prof. Ferry Efendi as Chair, Nuzul Qur’aniati, S.Kep.Ns., M.Ng., Ph.D., as Secretary, and Rifky Octavia Pradipta, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., as a researcher from REACH, Universitas Airlangga, alongside representatives from BP2MI.
The discussion highlighted the growing global demand for nurses, with a projected shortage of 13 million nurses worldwide by 2030 according to the International Council of Nurses (2020) and WHO (2024). Countries like Australia and Singapore are increasing their demand for foreign nurses, requiring 123,000 and 24,000 nurses respectively by 2030. Indonesia, with its annual production of 60,000 nursing graduates (Uknakes, 2023), has the potential to become a major supplier of nurses to the global market. Indonesian nurses, known for their strong educational backgrounds and practical skills, are competitive candidates in the global healthcare workforce.
Despite the opportunities, the discussion also addressed challenges in nurse deployment, such as regulatory barriers, visa and licensing requirements, and the need for streamlined processes for overseas placements. Collaborative programs with international institutions were proposed to enhance language skills and cultural adaptability, and actionable plans were discussed to develop training programs tailored for international certifications, establish partnerships with healthcare institutions in target countries, and advocate for policies that facilitate nurse mobility while safeguarding their rights abroad. The Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection committed to strengthening support systems for Indonesian nurses, ensuring fair contracts and working conditions in foreign countries.
Additionally, the session underscored the importance of fostering bilateral agreements with nations facing nurse shortages to create structured pathways for Indonesian nurses. Insights were shared on creating a national framework that aligns educational curricula with international standards, thereby empowering nurses to seamlessly integrate into global healthcare systems. The participants also emphasized the need for continuous professional development and digital literacy training to keep Indonesian nurses competitive in an evolving healthcare landscape.
This discussion concluded with a shared vision of making Indonesia a key player in the global healthcare workforce by leveraging its nursing potential and addressing challenges to nurse mobility.
#IndonesianNursesAbroad #GlobalHealthcare #REACH #BP2MI #NurseMobility #HealthcareWorkforce #UniversitasAirlangga