No future in healthcare without Nurses: Prioritise Nurses

Approximately a year ago, the nurses and midwives in Uganda laid down their tools over the low salary payments coupled with poor working conditions. In the few days of the strike, the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health Uganda came out and talked about the devastating effects of the strike on healthcare. With negotiations and dialogues held by the Nurses and Midwives leaders, unions, associations, and the Ministry of Health (MoH) plus more stakeholders from both government and non-government entities, this resulted in salary increments among other wins. Sometimes, the best way to appreciate the significance of a person is to imagine your world without them in it. 

Upon the release of the State of the World’s Nursing Report, the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing & Midwifery, the Sustain and Retain in 2022 and Beyond and many other important publications, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and other organisations have shown the evidence for change and called for action and investments in nursing. It is now time to look to the future and demonstrate what these investments will mean for nursing and healthcare

Worldwide, the nurses celebrate International Nurses Day every 12^th May of every new year. The International Council of Nurses announced the 2023 theme for International Nurses Day as “Our Nurses. Our Future.” The theme indicates that by encouraging people to take up the profession of nursing, they invest in healthcare and in the future itself. Moreso, the theme shines the light on nurses and on a brighter future, moving nurses from invisible to invaluable in the eyes of policymakers, the public, and all those who make decisions affecting the delivery and financing of health care. In line with the theme, as well as learning lessons to support nurses, there is also a need to look at how we must strengthen our health systems to address growing global health demands. 

In Uganda, the International Nurses Day celebrations are taking place at Muni University in Northern Uganda, Arua district. The expected guest of honour is Dr Dianah Atwine, the Permanent Secretary, MoH. However, the International Nurses Week started off with the Nurses’ conference tackling different nursing issues in the areas of clinical practice, regulation, leadership, policy and management, education and training, research, community health and more. Investment in different areas of the nursing profession is one of the key outstanding things highlighted for a better future in healthcare.

It is therefore paramount that the Government of Uganda prioritizes investing in the nursing profession for better healthcare outcomes. Together our future depends on every nurse, every voice, to not only be on the front lines of care but also be on the front lines of change.

Lilian Nuwabaine Luyima is a BSc Nurse, MSN-Midwife and Women’s Health Specialist