At a joint International Council of Nurses (ICN) / World Health Organization (WHO) event held 18 May 2016 in Geneva, the WHO launched itsnew Strategic Directions for Nursing & Midwifery (SDNM) 2016-2020.

 

The SDNM 2016-2020 aim to ensure that the nursing and midwifery workforce contributes to Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Agenda by ensuring equitable access to skilled and motivated nursing and midwifery workforces within performing and responsive health systems.

 

“The global impact of nursing and midwifery has never been more necessary in order to achieve universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals”, said Dr Frances Hughes, ICN’s Chief Executive Officer. “In many countries, the nursing and midwifery workforce is the largest health delivery personnel, making investment in this profession crucial.”

 

The SDNM 2016-2020 address four key themes:

1. Ensuring an educated, competent and motivated nursing and midwifery workforce within effective and responsive health systems at all levels and in different settings

2. Optimizing policy development, effective leadership, management and governance

3. Working together to maximise the capacities and potentials of nurses and midwives through intra- and interprofessional collaborative partnerships, education and continuing professional development

4. Mobilizing political will to invest in building effective evidence-based nursing and midwifery workforce development

 

The SDNM 2016-2020 were launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Muna al Hussein at the joint ICN-WHO reception.