7 April of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day. The WHO has named this year the ‘International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the World Health Day 2020 gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our gratitude towards all doctors, nurses, medical staff and healthcare workers leading the battle against COVID-19.
All human beings on this planet need to honor the contribution of nurses and midwives, recognizing their vital role in keeping the world healthy.
Nurses and other health workers are at the frontlines of COVID-19 response, putting their own health at risk to protect the broader community. Nurses are critical in responding to health needs in all settings and across the lifespan.
This year gives us an opportunity to highlight the work of nurses and midwives around the world. Today let us celebrate this workforce as one of the most valuable resources of every country. It is because of them, we live in a happier, healthier World.
Quite simply, without nurses, there would be no response.
What You can do as a Citizen:
- Show nurses and midwives your appreciation for their work and thank them for what they do to keep us healthy.
- Call on local leaders to do more to support nurses and midwives and make investments that enable them to work to their full potential.
What Policy-Makers Can Do:
- Invest in nursing and midwifery education and employment so universal health coverage becomes a reality everywhere
- Strengthen and pay more attention to nursing and midwifery influence and leadership: health services will improve as a result
- Take steps to improve gathering of workforce data in order to better target resources and make changes where they are needed most.
What Health Workers Can Do:
- Show respect for nurses, midwives and other fellow health workers
- Listen to their views and explore their ideas
- Engage nurses and midwives in decision making.
Share photos and videos of and from nurses and midwives, or other health workers, and patients explaining why their work is vital. Use #SupportNursesAndMidwives and #COVID19.
“Women Fitness team salutes the dedicated round the clock service of nurses & midwives in saving lives of people all over the world. May there families & friends stay protected and safe in this tough time.” Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
