Princess Muna launches global nursing initiative
Princess Muna Al Hussein, Patron for Nursing and Midwifery in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Chairman of the Jordanian Nursing Council and Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, sponsored the launch of the “Nursing Now” campaign hosted by Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland last 27th, February.
A number of simultaneous events and activities were held in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Jamaica, the United States, Jordan and South Africa, and representatives from more than 30 countries pledged their support to the campaign to upgrade nursing level in the world.
Participants also called for more investment in training workforce of the nursing profession to increase their contributions to achieve goals of sustainable development, primarily in connection to the global health agenda and comprehensive health coverage.
In an online televised address, Princess Muna highlighted the important role of nurses in supporting the health sector as well as efforts exerted by countries to provide effective and quality care for people of all ages, and said progress can not be made in comprehensive health coverage or sustainable development goals without investment in the health workforce and recognition of the nurses’ pioneering work.
“I am pleased to see that the nursing workforce is gaining a stronger voice, as our presence today demonstrates a message of political commitment at the highest levels,” she said.
“We are committed to supporting nursing and improving the quality of health services in the world,” she added.
In turn, Ghebreyesus said launching the campaign would not be a one-day event, but would be a daily activity.
On the sidelines of the campaign, Her Highness met with Ghebreyesus and discussed with him the strategic partnership between WHO and Jordan, future cooperation on investment in the health workforce and mental health programs, as well as the current local, regional and international progress on the global human resources strategy for health.
Her Highness also toured Geneva University Hospital, met with a number of nurses and visited a group of patients in the hospital.
Princess Muna’s Advisor for Health and Society, Dr. Ruwaida Al Maaitah, and Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Saja Majali, attended the launch ceremony.
