I would like to start by thanking to the nurses and other health care professionals that are nowadays caring for those affected with COVID-19, working tirelessly to ensure health for all and continued health services without disruption, making sure that nobody is left behind.
International Nurses Day is celebrated every year on 12th of May, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale and this year we mark the second centennial birth anniversary of the Mother of Modern Nursing. For this reason, the World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, in which the dedication that nurses and midwives is acknowledged throughout the year.
The State of the World’s Nursing report published on World Health Day gives us a picture of the challenges for nursing around the world, and areas each country can work on to progress towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nursing can promote gender equality in social and economic development. Reports show investment in nursing can have a triple impact of better health, greater gender equality and stronger economies (SDGs 3, 5, 8). With approximately 50% of nurses being younger than 35 years of age, this workforce will energize nursing in the country.
Bangladesh made progress in increasing the number of nurses over the past seven years but we still need to continue the effort as an estimated shortage range of 300,000 to 400,000 is projected for year 2030.
The shortage puts a strain on the current workforce as nurses are caring for patients at every hour, every minute of the day. Nurses truly are frontline heroes.
Nurses are a critical workforce battling with COVID-19, dedicating their time to protect, support, and care for people affected by the virus in the community. Often times nurses are parents themselves, leaving their loved ones at home to save lives. We must all acknowledge the great sacrifice they do for the health of all. Thank you for saving lives and keeping our loved ones safe.
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