Dr Frances Hughes, RN, Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and Dr Leslie Mancuso, RN, Chief Executive Officer of Jhpiego announced today a new nursing development programme to facilitate collaboration in areas of public health through nursing workforce development and capacity building.

 

“ICN has a strong relationship with Jhpiego”, said Dr Hughes, “and we are delighted to be working with them to build capacity and develop the nursing workforce.”

 

“Jhpiego is proud and honoured to be part of this important partnership,“ added Dr Mancuso. “Nurses are the backbone of the health system. We are strengthened by collaboration.”

 

The two organisations that share the common goals of improving public healthcare services, empowering women and achieving universal health coverage –are joining forces to create a project that will connect nurses globally to exchange expertise.

 

Jhpiego and ICN are well positioned to work together to respond to the global nursing workforce shortage and empower nurses for a variety of emerging evidence-based roles needed to meet the sustainable development goals and target for universal health coverage.

 

The letter of collaboration signed by Dr Frances Hughes and Dr Leslie Mancuso, President and CEO of Jhpiego, lays down the building blocks of a commitment to position nurses in advanced practice roles; build nurse capacity to assume leadership roles; explore and create innovative community-focused nurse-led care models; and advanced nurse-led research.

 

The aim of the agreement, which was signed at ICN’s Congress in Barcelona, Spain, is to develop and implement joint advocacy and lobbying programmes to support public health initiatives, especially in low and middle-income countries.

 

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.