A NUMBER of academic and social programmes highlighting the importance of nurses in country have been lined up, as Bahrain joins the world in marking the ‘Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020’.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated this year in honour of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer and statistician, known as the founder of modern nursing.
Prominence
Nightingale known as “The Lady with the Lamp” came to prominence while serving during the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856, in which she organised care for wounded soldiers.
“As Geneva decided and announced (on December 30) the year 2020 as that of the year of the nurses and midwives, Bahrain has come up with a range of programmes to mark the year in line with WHO,” a Health Ministry spokeswoman told the GDN.
“The ministry has prepared a plan for the implementation of accompanying activities, which includes holding several workshops, seminars, training, recreational and educational gatherings and an international scientific conference, to benefit from its outputs and recommendations.
“As a generous gesture, the Equal Opportunities Committee at the ministry distributed roses and greeting cards to nurses at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) on the New Year, marking the start of celebrations of the year of nursing and midwifery 2020.”
This year WHO will also release the first-ever State of the World’s Nursing report ahead of the 73rd World Health Assembly.
The report will describe the nursing workforce in WHO member states, providing an assessment of “fitness for purpose”.
WHO is also a partner on The State of the World’s Midwifery 2020 report, which will also be launched around the same time.
“As we know, nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services,” added the ministry spokeswoman.
“They 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.
“According to WHO, the world needs nine million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.
Opportunities
“And in Bahrain we have a number of highly educated nurses who support doctors at all our public and private healthcare facilities.
“During this year we will organise training programmes for nurses and midwives, as well as provide opportunities for senior nurses with credentials to present their papers at conferences and seminars.
“We will also be linking all major healthcare related days assigned by the United Nations and WHO to be marked matching the theme of the year of nurses and midwives.”
In a statement issued yesterday, Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh said the ministry aimed to mark the year with programmes that highlight the achievements and contributions of nurses to the younger generation to inspire them.
“Nurses play an essential role in providing health services to patients, and they dedicate their lives to care for all members of society,” she said.
“The ministry continues to strengthen the role of nursing, improve the quality of nursing care, and raise the efficiency and capabilities of nurses and midwives to enable them to participate effectively in developing the profession, facing challenges and setting appropriate solutions.”
Quality
Meanwhile, Nursing Services for Hospitals head professor Badria Al Kuwaiti endorsed the importance the ministry has attached to the nursing sector.
“The ministry is constantly working to develop and improve the quality of nursing care provided and enhance the role of nursing and their involvement in decision-making and the development of health programmes and strategies,” she said.
”We consider WHO’s declaration as a privilege and honour for nursing staff in Bahrain and the world.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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