Global health experts support campaign to improve status of nurses

HEALTH

Global Health experts are pushing for a campaign dubbed Nursing Now to raise the profile and status of nurses.

Prof. Annette Kennedy the president of the International Council of Nurses called upon everyone to recognise the value that nurses bring to the health sector.

Speaking during a Nursing Now Regional Meeting at Hilton Garden Inn Kennedy said "Countries must invest more in nursing for the health of society and economic growth because they are the solution to Universal health care, social development goals (SDGs) and non-communicable diseases,"

She called for a need to have more nurses in leadership positions because they are the centre of healthcare, and that they are the ones who what is needed in healthcare.

She said nurses make up more than the entire health care workforce, deliver 90% of the hands-on care.

The campaign aims at improving the profile and status of nurses worldwide, to ensure that society knows the value of nurses and their contribution to healthcare particularly in relation to implementing Universal Health coverage and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and containing the non-communicable diseases.

Prof. Sheila Tlou, the co-chair Nursing Now campaign former Health minister in Botswana also called upon older nurses who are already in leadership positions to invest in young nurses and mentor them.

Prof. Francis Omaswa, the executive director of the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), asked young nurses to have roles in leadership positions.

"In Uganda there is no nurse who is a minister, we want positions in the district health system being occupied by the nurses,'' Omaswa said.

The campaign recognizes that nurses are at the heart of countries' efforts to provide health for all. As one of the most trusted professions, nurses provide effective and quality care for people of all ages and is central in addressing the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nurses and midwives represent nearly one-half of the total number of health workers around the world. However, for all countries to reach Sustainable Development Goal 3 of health and well-being for all ages, WHO estimates that the world will need an additional 9 million nurses and midwives by 2030.

Meanwhile, the ministry of health wants the public to nominate the health workers in districts.

Dr Diana Atwine the ministry's permanent secretary said the nomination will be based on good performance of health workers.

She said those who will be nominated will be the first people to be promoted in case there is an opportunity. She added that the best performing cadres will also be given an opportunity to upgrade

"We need to have a workforce that is committed to working regardless of the challenges, we shouldn't lie to ourselves that all over a sudden we are going to get money to meet everyone's needs. We want Excellency service,'' Atwine added

She reminded nurses that government is committed to handle the challenges that affect the performance. The principle nursing officer Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Vanice Katusime suggested that welfare of nurses is paramount if the public is to get good health services from the nurses.

She is optimistic that campaign, will raise the nurses' voice and create awareness among the communities about the contribution they make.

Katusime expressed concern that when they are looking at health indicators, the nurses are the ones who deliver the biggest number of women. And when they are reviewing performance indicators nobody appreciates that it's the nurses who contribute to this. During review meetings,nurses are not given a chance to participate,''