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.
Collaboration with WHO
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On February 29 – March 1, 2016, EFNNMA held it’s Anniversary 20th Annual meeting jointly with the European office of WHO. WHO/Europe and the European Forum for National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding. It was signed by the Regional Director, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, and the Chair of the EFNNMA Steering Committee, Ms Valentina Sarkisova. The Director of the pision of Health Systems and Public Health, Dr Hans Kluge, represented the Regional Director at a ceremony at EFNNMA's Steering Committee meeting on 29 February 2016.
The new four-year memorandum of understanding outlines a collaboration to implement the "European strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards Health 2020 goals" (ESDNM) in the WHO European Region. EFNNMA will continue to support WHO/Europe's work in promoting the ESDNM and developing good nursing and midwifery practice in the Region.
The memorandum of understanding recognizes the value of dialogue between the EFNNMA and WHO/Europe and the potential strength of joint action to achieve Health 2020 goals in the Region. EFNNMA also serves as a unique opportunity to bridge not only two of the largest professions of the health workforce – nursing and midwifery – but also national associations from both the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries in the Region.
Collaboration with EFNNMA began in 1996 with the overall goal of promoting health and providing better health care services. The collaboration celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Focus on developing nursing and midwifery professions
As part of this collaboration, the two organizations will contribute to and influence the debate on improving the health of European citizens and the quality of health care services in Europe, in line with the vision of the European health policy, Health 2020. This was the point of discussion at the annual EFNNMA meeting on 1 March 2016 where members also discussed the European regional strategy on women's health. At a time when Europe is experiencing austerity measures and working to scale up universal health coverage in the Region, nurses and midwives – through this collaboration – are more important than ever.
The partnership aims to promote the continuous development of the nursing and midwifery professions in all countries in the Region at all levels of intervention: education, practice, management, research and policy formulation. EFNNMA's extensive network of national nursing and midwifery associations will be mobilized to pursue this goal.
Memorandum of Understanding between WHO office for Europe and EFNNMA, February 29, 2016
Joint Plan of Action between WHO office for Europe and EFNNMA 2016-2017
Joint Plan of Action between WHO office for Europe and EFNNMA 2018-2019
Joint Paln of Action between WHO office for Europe and EFNNMA 2019-2020
On February 6, 2014 with the joint plan of actions been developed and adopted, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, and the Chair of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA), Ms Valentina Sarkisova, signed the Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration between WHO and EFNNMA.
The joint plan of actions included a number of key activity areas all aimed at focusing on efficient advancements of nursing and midwifery practices in Europe. The main goal of the joint efforts is to support the European Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery Services towards Health 2020and the European Compendium of Good Nursing and Midwifery practices that are to be presented at the next session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, in September 2014.
While being an active partner in establishing the European Compendium and providing its input to the European Strategic Directions for Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery Services towards Health 2020, EFNNMA is working towards establishing of a good communication strategy with all national associations and hopes to reinforce its partnership with all members.
Memorandum of Understanding between WHO office for Europe and EFNNMA, February 6, 2014
Joint Plan of Action between WHO office for Europe and EFNNMA, February 6, 2014
Technical Briefing on Nursing and Midwifery, WHO RC 65, September 16th, 2015, Vilnius, Lithuania
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