Opportunity to strengthen the role of human resources for primary health care
The Region of the Americas has around 9 million nursing professionals; of these, 4.500.000 are licensed nurses. The nursing and midwifery workforce represent nearly 50 percent of the health workforce, and nurses and midwives are critical to providing Primary Health Care.
The greatest challenges are to adopt effective policies at the national and regional levels that include adequate investment to overcome human resource shortages, the expansion the role of nurses, regulation, and improvement of working conditions.
The Strategy on Human Resources for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage serves as a framework and guide for policy discussions and provides relevant recommendations.
Opportunity
The 72nd World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. This decision highlights nursing and human resources for health globally. The organization of events and messages can help all countries promote the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, facilitate policy dialogue and encourage the development of inter-professional teams needed within health services.
On 7 April 2020, World Health Day, WHO will launch the State of the World's Nursing Report, whose main objective is to support the political dialogue needed for investment at national and regional level of this workforce. It will also provide a detailed analysis of national, regional and global data; and the policies and recommendations related to the strengthening of nursing to achieve Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
Objectives
The activities that will be carried out in the countries of the Region, and at the global level such as the launch of the State of World’s Nursing that presents an important opportunity for the countries to discuss nursing contributions to the health of populations and the necessary investments to expand the role of nurses, to improve the working conditions, and to empower nurses in decision making.
World Health Day (7 April 2020). Nurses and midwives: Leading the way to Universal Health.
Launch of the State of the World’s Nursing Report by the World Health Organization. Download from WHO.
State of the world’s nursing 2020 - country profiles (National Health Workforce Accounts Data Portal.)
Publication: "Perspectives and Contributions of Nurses in the Region of the Americas for Universal Health"
Perspectives and contributions of nursing in strengthening primary health care and expanding access to care in the Region of the Americas to achieve Universal Health, is a joint PAHO/WHO publication with the College of Nursing-University of Illinois in Chicago.
This selection of 41 case studies or stories offers an introductory overview of the perspectives and contributions of nurses and midwives to advance toward universal access to health and universal health coverage.
The purpose of this material is to disseminate best practices in nursing innovation, leadership, research, policies, and education and to promote understanding of the ways in which nurses strengthen health systems and services toward achieving universal access to health, universal health coverage, and the SDGs, in collaboration with other health professionals.
Download the publication here on 12 May, 2020
International Nurse’s Day (12 May 2020)
WHAT: Contributions of Nurses to Universal Health and the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region of the Americas.
WHEN: Tuesday, 12 May 2020
TIME: 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (EDT)
HOW: Virtual room link https://bit.ly/INursesDay
This session will be in English.
Invited participants:
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Ministries of Health and Education, Representatives of Universities, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers, National Nursing Associations, Government Chief Nursing Officers, professionals and students.
Objective.
- To share the contributions and initiatives of nurses in promoting universal health and to recognize those on the front lines of COVID-19.
For information about the Spanish event please visit Día Internacional de las enfermeras y enfermeros 2020 Webpage
Agenda
- Opening remarks (video): Carissa F. Etienne, Director of PAHO
- Tribute to health professionals - Theme: "Heroes of Silence.", Music and lyrics by Benjamin Puertas, PAHO Advisor, Human Resources for Health
- COVID-19 and the health workers: Jarbas Barbosa, Assistant Director of PAHO, and James Fitzgerald, Director of Health Systems and Services Department of PAHO
- Nurses’ experiences in the care or management of COVID-19 patients:: Courtney Vose, Michelle Acorn
- Launching of the publication:: "Perspectives and Contributions of Nursing to Promote Universal Health," Fernando Menezes, Unit Chief of Human Resources for Health and Silvia Cassiani, Advisor for Nursing and Allied Health Technician.
More information about the International Nurse Day available here.
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73rd World Health Assembly – Geneva (18-23 May 2020)
Dr. Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, Director of WHO, has requested that countries have a nurse and midwife as part of the delegation.
Nursing Situation in the Region of the Americas.
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Nurses vaccinate patients at home -
Nurse gets supplies ready to vaccinate patients in their own settings
Campaign materials
Nurses and midwives: Leading the way to Universal Health
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