Each year in April, World Health Day is celebrated to spotlight the importance of universal health. This year, World Health Day 2020 will focus on the contributions of nurses and midwives and their major role in providing care for patients.
How appropriate that we need healthcare professionals more than ever while world leaders attempt to contain the spread of a lethal virus in our country and all over the world. I think it goes without saying that without nurses, the virus would be even more devastating than it currently is.
Nurses and other health workers are at the forefront of COVID-19 response – providing high quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears and questions and, in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies. Quite simply, without nurses, there would be no response. (WHO)
As we focus on the role of the nurse and the impact of the nursing profession on our lives, we should support the goals of World Health Day 2020:
- Trigger a wave of public appreciation for the work of nurses and midwives and the part they play in delivering health care.
- Raise the profile of nurses and midwives within the health care workforce.
- Catalyze support and investment in nurses and midwives.
Some of the ways we can promote the goals of World Health Day are simple.
- Thank a nurse for their contributions to improving patient outcomes.
- Leaders in the healthcare industry should target resources and data that focus on nursing contributions and improve workforce strategies.
- Healthcare professionals should promote legislature that enhances opportunities for new students to enroll in the dwindling nursing profession.
Any awareness and policy changes that are a positive influence on the nursing profession, big or small, is appreciated by our great healthcare professionals known as nurses.