The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) is the voice of nursing and midwifery within WHO European Region.Working in partnership and strategically with WHO and other key stakeholders we aim to influence health policy, improve the quality of health services and the health of people across the 53 Member States of the Region. We are passionate advocates of the central and unique contribution that Nurses and Midwives make to individual and population health and well-being across Europe and are committed to ensuring both professions are supported to deliver excellence in their practice. As the nature of care changes we believe that strengthening and developing the nursing and midwifery workforce through the provision of lifelong learning and research delivers excellence in public health and people-centered healthcare.
WHO Regional Committee meeting 68th session
EFNNMA SC members were invited to attend the WHO Regional Committee meeting 68th session held on September 16-20 in Rome, Italy. Sessions of 68th RC were devoted to the numerous topics, including the Regional director report, European Health report, Tackling NCDs, Men’s health, Immunization, Public Health, Accreditation of non-state actors and many others.
Among the multiply items on the Agenda EFNNMA selected the one most relevant to nurses and midwives of the region, namely “Advancing public health for sustainable development in the WHO European Region”. Based on the possibility to submit statements on behalf of NGOs, SC prepared an oral and written statement to emphasize the need of better support of nursing and midwifery education, regulation and practice as they form the main power of Public health: “EFNNMA calls on WHO and MS to focus on long-term workforce planning and introducing the legislation to empower nurses and midwives through extended scopes of practice. Overcoming existing barriers in nursing and midwifery practice regulation will have an extraordinary impact on Health systems efforts on achieving UHC and Sustainable development”. Written statement was published on WHO RC 68 web page and the video has been taped during the RC and also published on the web.
EFNNMA Statement
Video statements on WHO web site, Link
Communication with ministerial delegates and other NGOs was quite productive and showed a remarkable change of attitudes as most of participants of the highest regional event recognize the ultimate importance of nurses and midwives and seem to be highly interested in best strategies of developing and empowering the professionals.
Informal communication with WHO Director General Dr Tedros, Regional director Dr Jakab allowed to once again emphasize the need for more nurses and midwives at WHO and the need to have a stronger focus on nursing and midwifery to overcome barriers faced by professionals in many countries.
One of the final RC 68th sessions was focused on the future involvement of the regional NGOs in Regional committees and all ministerial delegates were to vote to open up this possibility. With no objections suggested NGOs including EFNNMA were accredited, meaning that we will be able to participate in the RC, prepare the statements and suggest other ways of collaboration during the Highest political event in the Region.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)