Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often, the first and only point of care in their communities. Quite simply, the world will only achieve universal health coverage by recognizing the critical role they play and by investing more in the nursing and midwifery workforce.
So WHO has designated 2020, the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, The Year of the Nurse and the Midwife (YONM). Working closely with key partners including, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), International Council of Nurses (ICN), Nursing Now and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), we will:
- Celebrate the contributions of health workers, with particular focus on nurses and midwives, in improving health globally,
- acknowledge, appreciate and address the challenging conditions nurses and midwives face while providing care where it's needed most and
- advocate for increased investments in the nursing and midwifery workforce
The year-long global focus on nurses and midwives —is a unique opportunity to get involved! Campaign assets will be made available shortly.
Engage in the development of the State of the World's Nursing Report 2020