New age for investing in nurses

Healthcare systems globally depend on the 28 million nurses around the world doing lifesaving work for all of us everyday. In some contexts, they are often the first and only health worker that patients will see. On International Nurses Day, it is therefore right that we celebrate the integral role they play. But the world could do more in terms of matching these celebrations with tangible actions. Actions that equip nurses to do their jobs not just today, but tomorrow and in the future.

There is no clearer example than Covid-19, to outline why support for nurses to physically and mentally do their jobs is essential.

Firstly, Covid-19 has signalled the huge need for more hands on deck. Experts have been reporting on the global health worker shortage for some time and the threat it is posing to progress towards achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nursing faces one of the greatest challenges, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating that we will need 9 million nurses in the next decade to meet the SDGs. This gap is especially felt in low-income countries, where there are just 9 nurses per 10,000 people, compared to 108 in high-income nations. We must dramatically scale up the number of health workers worldwide to not only respond to emergencies like Covid-19, but to address these inequalities.

Aside from needing adequate staffing, Covid-19 has also put a spotlight on the need for nurses to be supported with safe and decent working environments. In the last few months we have witnessed the worldwide scarcity of personal protective equipment, pushing nurses and care providers to compromise their own safety for that of their patients. While PPE and access to other vital equipment must be addressed immediately, nurses and other health workers also need to be working in facilities with strong physical infrastructure, good space, electricity, running water and sufficient communication systems.

Covid-19 is also highlighting the mental demands that come with nursing. First, and obviously, quality education, training and knowledge is fundamental to being able to deliver the critical care that Covid-19 demands. Beyond this though, attention must be paid to the emotional burdens. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has already highlighted the increased anxiety and stress for nursing staff working during the pandemic in countries around the world, with a third describing the state of their mental health as bad. We need an inclusive approach to supporting nurses and health workers to mentally do their jobs with access to peer support, professional mental health care and counselling services.

Nations, including the UK, have already taken unified action towards finding a solution to the pandemic, including most recently at the virtual international pledging conference. But with many low and middle income countries just weeks behind Europe and the US, and facing ten fold capacity strains, more must be done to protect those  who are now at the dawn of the fight. When the history for Covid-19 is written, how will we say we gave the commitments and sacrifices made by nursers and other health workers in every corner of the world the recognition they deserve?

Action for Global Health wants to thank nurses everywhere for their significant contribution in providing quality care for all. Join our campaign this month and ask world leaders to #SupportHealthWorkers.