Regional WHO collaborating centres in nursing and midwifery at the Global Network General Meeting in 2016
SYDNEY - The First Regional Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres in the Western Pacific in November 2014 resulted in clear recommendations to increase information sharing, prioritize activities, collaborate more and provide country-specific support. The Network of Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery in the Region has been focussing on these priorities for the last two years.
The Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery is made up of 44 centres globally, with eight centres in the Western Pacific Region. The Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development) acts as Secretariat for the Global Network, while the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition at the James Cook University of Australia (the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research Capacity Building) has been coordinating the regional group.
Eight centres in the regional network have provided support to countries in human resources for health. Five of these eight centres are working with countries on projects focussed on universal health coverage.
Other key areas of work include faculty development teacher preparation, integration of disaster training into curricula, maternal and child health initiatives, strengthening regulatory processes, dissemination of health information and health promotion. Currently, the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres is undertaking a collaborative research project to map the Network's experience and expertise against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is the first step towards in-country and inter-country collaborations in line with WHO strategies.
The regional network provided inputs to WHO's Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 and the Global Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery 2016–2020 to ensure regional and local issues were considered.
To facilitate information sharing a regional update is emailed three times a year to keep all stakeholders informed of key activities. An interactive infographic has also been developed with links to key documents on universal health coverage, the SDGs and human resources for health.
With improved communication and collaboration, the Network will be key contributors to the SDGs through their strengths in key areas of work.
Learn more:
Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery website:
http://www.globalnetworkwhocc.com
Research and projects outlined in Links Magazine:
https://www.globalnetworkwhocc.com/publications-and-downloads/