As the year 2020 has been declared as the “Year of the Nurse and midwife” by the World Health Organisation (WHO), this monumental decision reflects the commemoration of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. The “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” is not just a tribute to Nightingale, but an initiative aimed to bolster nursing and midwifery for Universal Health Coverage.
Strengthening Nursing for Sustainable Development Goals
The emphasis on strengthening nursing goes far beyond just improving healthcare systems. It serves as a vehicle to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well. SDG 3 targets ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages. SDG 5 is focused on promoting gender equity, while SDG 8 aims towards contributing to economic development. Nurses and midwives play an integral part in realising these goals, constituting over 50% of the health workforce in many countries.
The Impact of “The NursingNow!” Campaign
The “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” also amplifies the impact of “The NursingNow!” campaign. This three-year initiative (2018-2020) was designed with the goal of enhancing health globally by elevating the status of nursing. Elevating the stature and recognition of nurses and midwives worldwide equates to elevating the quality of healthcare and patient outcomes.
State of the World’s Nursing Report
Furthermore, WHO is spearheading the inauguration of the first-ever State of the World’s Nursing report, primed to be launched within the titular year. This report will provide a comprehensive overview of the nursing workforce across the globe, underlining its successes, challenges, and future directions.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Designation of the year | 2020 as “Year of the Nurse and midwife” |
| Purpose of designation | To strengthen nursing and midwifery for Universal Health Coverage |
| Impact on Sustainable Development Goals | Achievement of SDG 3, 5 and 8 |
| Percentage of health workforce composed by nurses and midwives in many countries | More than 50% |
| Campaign endorsed | “The NursingNow!” |
| Significant Report to be launched | State of the World’s Nursing report |
Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the Lamp
Born in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820, Florence Nightingale was an eminent British nurse, statistician, and social reformer. Her birth bicentenary in the year 2020 has been a significant reason behind this tribute. During the Crimean War, she drastically improved the unsanitary conditions at a British base hospital with her team of nurses, leading to a substantial decline in the death count. Known for her night rounds to aid the wounded, she was often referred to as the ‘Lady with the Lamp.’ Her writings incited worldwide health care reform, earning her a place as a foundational philosopher of modern nursing.
