COVID and the sacred profession of nursing

International Nurses Day (IND) was observed around the world on May 12. The day is set aside to honor and note the many contributions nurses make to society.

Nurses care for our loved ones at some of the most challenging times of the COVID-19 epidemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the vital role nurses play. Without nurses and other health workers, we will not win the battle against outbreaks; we will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals or universal health coverage.

Coronavirus is spreading rapidly all over the world, including Pakistan. According to the latest statistics 4.2 million people have been infected with the virus while more than 287,000 have died since the virus emerged in China in December 2019.

History

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day since 1965. Florence Nightingale became an essential figure in nursing in the 1850s during the Crimean War. She was stationed at a hospital where she headed a group of nurses who cared for injured British soldiers.

When she first arrived at the hospital, she was struck by the desperate condition of the facilities. So, she imposed strict standards of care and ensured that the wards were kept clean and well stocked with food and medical supplies. Nightingale’s experiences led her to campaign for reform in health care and nursing.

In this year of the nurse now more than ever, it is essential that governments support and invest in their nurses. COVID19 reinforces the need for investment in nursing jobs, education, leadership.

First-ever State of the Worlds’ Nursing Report

In April 2020, WHO and partners launched the first-ever State of the Worlds’ Nursing Report, which provides a snapshot of the global nursing workforce as well as highlights the scale of the challenge we face and provides feasible policies for governments to invest in nursing so that Health for All can become a reality.

Pakistan to introduce legislation for the nursing sector

There was a shortage of nurses in the country against the requirement of 1.3 million nurses in Pakistan. In order to develop a healthcare delivery system related to nurses, the government of Pakistan announced to promote nursing institutions for imparting education up to graduation level.

The government had decided to start a nurses’ development program to address the issues of shortage of nursing staff in hospitals across the country. Nurses account for more than half of all the world’s health workers, yet there is an urgent shortage of nurses worldwide with 5.9 million more nurses still needed, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

International Nurses’ Day and our responsibilities

Nurses around the world, including Pakistan, suffer from a variety of problems, including sexual harassment, mistreatment by patients or their families, hostile attitudes towards doctors, and countless other issues that need to be addressed.

By developing their nursing workforces, countries can achieve the triple impact of improving health, promoting gender equality and supporting economic growth.

Strengthening nursing will have the additional benefits of promoting gender equity, contributing to economic development and supporting other Sustainable Development Goals.