This year, more so than ever, let us pause and reflect on World Health Day 2020. So far this year, the world’s health has been one of the most talked-about topics with the outbreak of COVID-19.
This year the World Health Organization encourages everyone to focus particularly on nurses and midwives. Did you know that almost 70% of the health and social workforce is female – of which many are nurses and midwives?
The World Health Organization documented five key investment areas to ensure we continue to sufficiently train and educate more nurses and midwives:
- Accelerate investments in nursing and midwifery education
- Employ more specialist nurses
- Invest in the leadership skills of nurses and midwives
- Make midwives and nurses the heart of primary health care
- Support nurses and midwives in delivering health promotion and disease prevention
Nurses are on the front lines caring for patients day in and day out. Even when catastrophic events occur like the COVID-19 outbreak – nurses carry forward and continue caring for patients while putting their own health and safety on the line. Please take a moment to thank a nurse or midwife and let them know how much you value and respect what they do for us.
Without nurses our healthcare system would not be possible. As we continue to navigate the current pandemic, we need to be mindful of all that we have to be thankful for. Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, aids, and all medical professionals who are making it to work every day to help all of the patients in need are a true blessing! So often we take for granted all that we have available to us – and in this very challenging time, especially in health care – take a moment to thank and appreciate those who are devoting their lives to your health and safety… sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice themselves.
For more information about World Health Day, please visit the WHO website.
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