NHS, Devon Alliance UK Celebrate Diaspora Health Workforce Contribution
Torquay, UK
April 25, 2025.
Almost one in five people working in the NHS in England report a nationality other than British. This is a testament to the positive impact of diaspora healthcare professionals in global health improvement.
Today, at Torbay Hospital, Torquay, a host of inspiring global healthcare leaders have acknowledged the incredible contribution of Devon’s global NHS workforce.
The event, organized by the Devon Alliance for International Recruitment, also celebrates the charity Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET) Experts In Our Midst programme.
In his address, Moses Mulimira, Global Health Partnerships Diaspora Engagement Advisor, said global health aims to address health disparities and improve the health of vulnerable populations, globally.
“It deals with health issues that transcend national borders, such as infectious diseases, climate change, and health workers’ migration.”
He added that, international migration of healthcare workers is well established and has become a means of maintaining service quality in many high income countries like UK.
Mulimira stressed that, in recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in recruitment of health professionals who have been trained abroad, including from the poorest countries in the world. “There is evidence that this migration of health staff results in poorer health service provision in low and middle income countries, as well as substantial economic impacts in these countries that have invested in training their health workforce.”
The THET Advisor also expressed his gratitude to speakers for their dedication to offering better support, and opportunities in global health for NHS internationally recruited diaspora health workers.
“This can enable skills transfer to health systems in their countries of origin, as well as, improve service delivery and patient care in UK NHS.”
Participants shone a light on the global voices powering the NHS in Devon with Devon Alliance UK. As, part of the Experts In Our Midst, several diaspora healthcare professionals have been celebrated, and they offered testimonies (stories and impact).
Queen, a community mental health nurse at Devon Partnership NHS Trust and an NHS England INMA fellow, has15+ years of experience, and has mentored international nurses and led pastoral support.
“I’m going to be a voice for the voiceless,” she noted.
Originally from India, Charlene joined the NHS in 2022 after years in Dubai’s emergency care system. She’s now a clinical team leader at South Western Ambulance Service.
“We’re diving into the networking and learning zone. NHS staff, global health leads, partners & community members are exploring how to celebrate, connect with, and learn from the Experts in Our Midst,” an attendee reckoned.
Other notable speakers included Charity Gladstone MBE, Chair of the Malawian Nurses Association, Gifty Markey, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Bristol NHS Trust, Hannah Samu, Diaspora Engagement Programme Manager, Global Health Partnerships, Sawdah Mohamed, Policy and Engagement Coordinator, Global Health Partnerships, among others.
This event which has attracted hundreds of global health professionals, has been an opportunity for NHS England and Devon Alliance for International Recruitment to champion expertise of diaspora healthcare professionals, people who have moved from their country of origin to live and work in the UK, recognising their vital role in strengthening healthcare both in the UK and globally.
