Are you aware that caring for nurses and midwives not only improves patient outcomes and quality of healthcare but it also strengthens economies? Well, nurses and midwives make up nearly half of the world’s healthcare workforce and deliver >80% of the hands-on care.
In lower and rural health facilities in developing countries, majorly, nurses and midwives are often the first and sometimes the only health professionals that people see. Thus, nurses and midwives are a vital part of the healthcare workforce, and investing in their health and well-being leads to increased productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and a healthier population, ultimately boosting economic growth.
Annually, 12th May marks International Nurses Day worldwide. This years’ theme states “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies”. Putting into consideration that the health and well-being of the carers, who are the nurses and midwives, matter globally, this theme typically emphasizes why the world needs to prioritize them, as they are a vital health workforce, key at strengthening the functioning of health systems.
Important to note, nurses and midwives face a wide range of challenges worldwide, from physical to social, emotional, psychological and ethical. It is without doubt that such challenges should be addressed in a way that promotes their overall health and wellbeing.
This years’ theme further provides an opportunity to governments, ministries and all other relevant entities to bring actionable solutions to the forefront, that is to say – solutions that can be implemented immediately to support nurses and midwives in their day-to-day work and also improve their long-term health.
For example; addressing nursing shortages, improving their working conditions and enhancing career advancement opportunities are crucial for retaining these nurses and midwives and maximizing the economic benefits of nursing.
Therefore, I urge all governments, ministries and relevant organisations to value, protect, respect and invest in nurses and midwives for a sustainable future for nursing and health care at large.
The writer is: Lilian Nuwabaine Luyima; Worlds’ Best Nurse Finalist 2024; Multi-Award-Winning Researcher 2023; Heroes in Health Award Winning Midwife 2021 & Outstanding woman of 2021
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