More investment in nurses and midwives is critical to achieving universal health coverage says the World Health Organization.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 2020, the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, as The Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

The UN agency responsible for improving global health is not only calling for increased recognition for nurses and midwives in this landmark year, but also for action and investment to bolster their effectiveness at the frontline of the world’s health systems.

“Quite simply, the world will only achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by recognising the critical role nurses and midwives play and by investing more in the nursing and midwifery workforce,” it said.

“Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services. These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunisations and health advice; looking after older people and generally meeting everyday essential health needs. They are often the first and only point of care in their communities.”

Establishing UHC in countries with weak health systems such as in Africa and Latin America is a key priority for WHO. The spread of COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of many developing countries lacking universal health care systems.

“One of the concerns is if this virus makes it to countries with weaker health systems,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-General of WHO.

“I can tell you straight away the capacity to manage a large number of patients is not there in many African countries. With the exception of large countries like Kenya and South Africa, most African hospitals have very limited intensive care facilities,” said Michel Yao, the WHO’s head of emergency services in Africa.

Nine million more nurses and midwives needed

If UHC is to be achieved to strengthen health systems in all countries, robust financing structures will be the key, says WHO. In particular there will need to be an investment in the health workforce.

“Improving health service coverage and health outcomes depends on the availability, accessibility and capacity of health workers to deliver quality people-centred integrated care,” it says.

“To meet UHC targets, over 18 million additional health workers are needed by 2030 (including nine million nurses and midwives).”

A key moment for WHO this year will be the release of The State of the World’s Nursing Report, which will be launched on World Health Day on 7 April.

ANMF Secretary Annie Butler said as the year of the nurse and midwife, 2020 made it “our year” and an opportunity for the voices of nurses and midwives to be heard in this country.

“It is also the year for Australia’s politicians to recognise our value by investing in the nursing and midwifery workforce,” she said.

“It is not the year for more platitudes, lip service and pats on the back in lieu of genuine recognition of nurses’ and midwives’ work, and honest and meaningful support for that work.

“This will require politicians and governments to respond to the evidence before them and invest in staffing ratios in all sectors, and in creating safe working environments across the country.

“It also requires us, Australia’s nurses and midwives, to take action to make this happen.”

Key Facts

Universal Health Coverage: 

• At least half the world’s population still do not have full coverage of essential health services.
• About 100 million people are still being pushed into extreme poverty because they have to pay for health care.
• Over 930 million people – around 12 per cent of the world’s population – spend at least 10 per cent of their household budgets to pay for health care.

Nursing and midwifery:

• Nurses and midwives account for nearly 50 per cent of the global health workforce and 50 per cent of the current global shortage in health workers.
• The world will need an additional nine million nurses and midwives by the year 2030 if sustainable development goals on health and wellbeing are to be achieved.
• WHO sees nurses and midwives as the key to achieving universal health coverage (UHC).

(Source: World Health Organization)

Key Dates

In this International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife the World Health Organization has earmarked key dates in its campaign to boost the status and resourcing of the nursing and midwifery professions:

• The State of the World’s Nursing Report will be released on World Health Day – April 7
• World Health Assembly – 17–20 May, Geneva

For more information about the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife go to www.nswnma.asn.au