The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 2020 the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” in honor of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. The yearlong campaign will celebrate the central role that nurses and midwives play in health care services around the world. 

Part of the campaign is to recognize the achievements of nurses around the world, especially in conflict zones and other hardship areas. Nurses and midwives face many challenges in their day-to-day work, including the increasing need for healthcare services, the increasing cost of services, the prevalence of communicable diseases, access to sanitation and supplies, and differing levels of autonomy, to name a few. Adding to these challenges is the fact that the world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

To face these challenges, WHO is taking and encouraging action by investing in education of the global medical workforce. This investment involves improving working conditions, advocating for decent pay and involving youth, the next generation of health care workers.

This year, and every year, we should celebrate and recognize the incredibly important role that nurses play in our health care systems and our societies.

Thank YOU!