The Year of the Nurse and Midwife

January 1, 2020, marks the beginning of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife and a major global effort to highlight an acute shortage of these crucial health workers. WHO selected 2020 to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives because it is the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.

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 immunizations 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.

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 immunizations 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. The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

That’s why the World Health Assembly has designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

Click on the link below to find out more.

https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/year-of-the-nurse-and-the-midwife-2020

 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has recognised the value and importance of this work, sending a letter of appreciation to all midwives, available at this link:

https://www.royal.uk/open-letter-duchess-cambridge-midwives

TASK 1: To write a letter to a nurse or midwife to say thank you for all their support, care and dedication they are providing right now.

TASK 2: Find out about Florence Nightingale. You could create a fact file or record your findings in a short video (just like they do on TV)