Nairobi, April 7 -- Kenya is projecting a widening gap between the number of healthcare professionals and what the population needs over the next five years as medics continue to migrate in search of better pay, casting doubt on the country's ambition to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).

Government data shows that between 2026 and 2031, the healthcare workforce shortage could grow by 49 percent, from 76,920 to 114,352. At that point, only 70.3 percent of the required 385,101 professionals will be available.

Currently, the country needs 311,060 healthcare workers but can only supply 234,140, meeting 75.3 percent of demand and leaving 76,920 positions unfilled. By 2035, coverage could fall further to 60.2 percent, meaning four in e...