The World Health Organization's 2020 Designation: Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the year as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, aiming to recognize and celebrate the vital roles that nurses and midwives play in global healthcare services. This initiative highlighted their significant contributions to health and universal health coverage (UHC) efforts. Let's delve into the details of this landmark designation.

Significance of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

The critical significance of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife cannot be overstated. Healthcare systems worldwide rely heavily on the contributions of nurses and midwives, who often work at the frontlines of patient care, delivering essential services that improve public health outcomes. The 2020 designation aimed to raise awareness about the importance of these health professionals and advocate for increased investments in the nursing and midwifery workforce.

Global Collaboration Efforts

The Year of the Nurse and the Midwife was a collaborative effort among several important global health organizations. The partnership between the WHO, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Nursing Now, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) ensured a broad scope of initiatives and advocacy. This collaboration helped to amplify the message and achieve broader impact, supporting the need for stronger healthcare systems.

Objectives and Challenges

The overarching objective of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife was to celebrate the incredible work of nurses and midwives, highlight the challenging conditions they often face, and call for increased investments in the nursing and midwifery workforce. The designation aimed to address some of the systemic challenges faced by these professionals, such as understaffing, inadequate resources, and working conditions. These factors have long been recognized as obstacles to achieving universal health coverage and improving public health.

Supporting Universal Health Coverage

In line with the World Health Assembly's goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030, the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife played a crucial role in advocating for the necessary improvements in healthcare systems. By emphasizing the importance of a well-trained and adequately resourced nursing and midwifery workforce, the initiative sought to ensure that everyone can access the health services they need, when and where they need them.

Resources and Further Reading

For more information on the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, you can refer to the following resources:

Conclusion

The Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in 2020 was a significant milestone that highlighted the indispensable role of nurses and midwives in global healthcare. It raised awareness, fostered collaboration, and advocated for necessary reforms to strengthen healthcare systems and pave the way for universal health coverage.