News

2017 International Council of Nurses Congress 15-06-2017

Themed sessions throughout the Congress covered the following topics: health care systems; sustainable health care: disasters and conflicts; quality and safety: workforce and workplace; professional practice and policy innovation.

A lifetime of caring for patients 09-05-2017

“I have been living with my patients’ worries for 47 years – almost a lifetime. In all these years I have continued to study, I have built and led teams and I have worked with thousands of people,” recounts Liubovi Kishevskaia, Chief Nurse of the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre in Tiraspol, Republic of Moldova.

A nurse researcher in Spain helps bring evidence into practice 09-05-2017

Inés María Comino Sanz is a nurse and junior researcher at the Nursing and Healthcare Research Unit (Investén-isciii) of the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid, Spain. The Institute is a public body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and promotes research in biomedicine and health care. Inés speaks to WHO/Europe about the emphasis that the Institute places on the importance of sleep in recovery, and how nurses are providing better quality care by integrating research into their work.

Nursing in a remote island setting 09-05-2017

Eunice M.C. de Lima works on Flores Island in the Azores archipelago, 120 miles from the nearest hospital. In an interview with WHO/Europe, she shares her experience of nursing in this remote island setting.

Championing hand hygiene in Latvia 04-05-2017

Meet Agita Melbarde-Kelmere, an infection control nurse at Latvia’s Eastern University Hospital and a champion for hand hygiene in primary care clinics and hospitals across the country.

Highlighting nurses and midwives’ commitment to delivering the highest quality care 04-05-2017

On the occasions of International Day of the Midwife on 5 May and International Nurses Day on 12 May, the WHO Regional Office for Europe is highlighting these critically important professions by featuring the voices of nurses and midwives from around the Region. They share what it means to be a nurse, midwife, researcher, administrator, educator and/or leader, and how they are committed to delivering the highest quality care.

Glasgow nursing student takes a closer look at six-step hand hygiene technique 04-05-2017

In 2016, nurse researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) in Scotland produced the first evidence that the six-step hand hygiene technique recommended by WHO is the most effective method and is superior to the three-step process. Now, a doctoral student in nursing has received a grant to take an even closer close look at the technique.

Nursing and midwifery associations consult on sustainable health workforce 22-03-2017

The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) annual meeting provided a forum for consultation on the Framework for Action towards a Sustainable Health Workforce in the WHO European Region, to be presented at the 67th Regional Committee in September 2017. The meeting was held in Berlin, Germany on 3 March 2017.

WHO/Europe and collaborating centres meet to develop sustainable health workforce 22-03-2017

Representatives from WHO/Europe and 8 WHO collaborating centres for nursing and midwifery in the WHO European Region met on 2 March 2017 in Berlin, Germany, to discuss the development of the Framework for action towards a sustainable health workforce in the WHO European Region. The Framework, which aims to support the translation of the WHO Global strategy on human resources for health: Workforce 2030 into a regional context, is to be presented at the 67th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2017.

International Women’s Day: unlocking the full potential of women at work in the European Region 08-03-2017

Each year on 8 March the global community recognizes International Women’s Day as a time to reflect on and celebrate progress made towards women’s rights, as well as to build momentum and support for further action. This year, the United Nations theme for the day is “Women in the changing world of work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”, referring to achieving true gender equity by the year 2030.

Nursing students in Glasgow tackle antimicrobial resistance 17-11-2016

Valerie Ness is a PhD student of nursing and has worked as a nurse for the past 21 years. She was aware of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) when she first began her career, but it was not common practice to screen for it.

Designation of a new WHO collaborating centre Public Health Nursing and Midwifery 25-10-2016

Public Health England (PHE) is part of the network of WHO collaborating centres with already eight different Institutions. Recently also the Chief Nurse Directorate at PHE joined the network of WHO collaborating centres and will support WHO Europe.

Designation of a new WHO collaborating centre for Nursing Education and Practice 11-10-2016

WHO is pleased to announce that the Faculty of Nursing at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas has recently been designated as a WHO collaborating centre for Nursing education and practice.

The network of WHO Collaborating Centres is growing: newly designated Collaborating Centre for Human Resources for Health Research and Policy 11-10-2016

The Research Unit at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) Institute for Healthcare Policy in Leuven, Belgium has been designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Human Resources for Health Research and Policy.

EFNNMA Steering Committee meeting: progress and next steps 23-09-2016

On 25–26 September 2016, WHO/Europe met with the Steering Committee of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA) in St Petersburg, Russian Federation. They discussed the progress of implementing the joint work plan aligned with the memorandum of understanding, and planned the 20th annual EFNNMA meeting.

Conference highlights innovation in nursing and midwifery practice 06-09-2016

A conference held from 27 to 29 July 2016 at the Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, United Kingdom, explored strategic directions for sustainable health workforce development of nurses and midwives towards 2030.

New WHO Collaborating Centre for Midwifery Development 05-08-2016

The School of Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University (United Kingdom) is committed to the development of impactful knowledge that directly improves health outcomes and health care for patients and families.

Global strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery launched 15-06-2016

The WHO "Global strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery 2016–2020" was launched at the Global Forum for Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers in May 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland.

One nurse's quest to track down TB on the eastern edge of Greenland 10-06-2016

The town of Tasiilaq, Greenland, sits perched on the shore of a natural harbor in a dramatic fjord. It is the most populous community on Greenland's east coast, with just slightly more than 2000 inhabitants. It is also home to a concerning number of tuberculosis (TB) cases, with a TB rate of 900 cases per 100 000 population. In comparison, the average rate among the 53 countries of the WHO European Region was 37 per 100 000 in 2014.

WHO Global Forum for Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers 31-05-2016

The seventh biennial Global Forum for Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers (GCNMOs) took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 18 to 19 May 2016, under the theme of the future of nursing and midwifery.

Nurses and midwives: A force for enhancing health and strengthening health systems 12-05-2016

 Nurses and midwives make up the majority of health care professionals in the WHO European Region, delivering health services to people of all ages. International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day, observed on 5 May and 12 May, respectively, offer opportunities to highlight some of the vital ways in which nurses and midwives contribute to public health and well-being.

Increasing the availability of safe abortion in Kyrgyzstan 09-05-2016

On 25 April 2016 the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan and WHO disseminated findings from a project that trained midwives to provide safe medical abortion up to 9 weeks of gestation to women living in rural, underserved areas of the country.

Memorandum of understanding between WHO/Europe and EFNNMA 03-03-2016

 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.

High-level expert meeting in Serbia to implement European strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards Health 2020 goals 26-01-2016

The Institute of Public Health of Serbia "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut", the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office in Serbia jointly convened an expert meeting on 29 December 2015 in Belgrade to introduce the "European strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards Health 2020 goals".

Designation of a WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research and Education in Salzburg. 21-01-2016

The Institute of Nursing Science and Practice at the Paracelcus University in Salzburg, Austria has been designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research and Education.

WHO/Europe launches 2 strategic publications showing nurses’ and midwives’ impact on reaching Health 2020 priorities 12-12-2015

WHO/Europe's programme on nursing and midwifery has launched first-of-their-kind publications highlighting the tangible role nurses and midwives play in reaching Health 2020 priority objectives for the WHO European Region.

New European strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery presented in Uzbekistan 02-12-2015

On 3–6 November 2015, the programme on human resources for health held a technical meeting in Uzbekistan to present WHO/Europe's new "European strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards Health 2020 goals" and to discuss the country's proposal for a new curriculum on midwifery.

Engaging people in every step: patients and carers explain the benefits of people-centred health care 05-11-2015

"Voices of Patients and Carers" consists of a collection of personal stories, a photo series and a film called "Journeys to Health", which share the real-life stories of people throughout the WHO European Region who played an integral role in their own care during their personal health challenges.

WHO supports training for nurses in eastern Ukraine 16-07-2015

30 nurses from emergency departments of hospitals and primary health care units in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts took part in the nursing emergency medicine services course conducted in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 7–9 July 2015.

WHO opens online consultation on the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 08-07-2015

In May 2014, the 67th World Health Assembly requested the Director-General to develop and submit a new global strategy on human resources for health to be considered by the 69th World Health Assembly in May 2016. This strategy represents a critical component of the WHO strategic vision towards universal health coverage (UHC) in the framework of the post 2015 health development agenda. The Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 is now open for public consultation until 31 August 2015. We invite all partners and stakeholders at national and regional level to participate and contribute to the process.

International Nurses Day celebrates cost–effectiveness of nurses 13-05-2015

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) celebrates International Nurses Day on May 12 every year as a way to honour the vital role nurses play in healthcare, and to distribute critical information and tools to strengthen the nursing field. The 2015 theme is "Nurses: a Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost Effective", which will be shared through a toolkit containing educational and public information materials, used by nurses globally.

Clean hands save lives 12-05-2015

The "Save lives: Clean your hands" campaign promotes hand hygiene improvements in the health care workplace. The campaign includes easily accessible tools for training and education, as well as an extensive cache of resources to help health-care workers make a difference in their work place and save lives.

Strengthening nursing and midwifery expertise in the WHO European Region 20-04-2015

In conjunction with the Latvian presidency in the EU, the WHO Regional Office for Europe hosted the 3rd biannual meeting of the region's government chief nursing officers (CNOs), national nursing and midwifery associations and WHO collaborating centres on Nursing and Midwifery from 8–9 April in Riga, Latvia. The meeting was held to review progress and provided an opportunity to discuss the role of nurses and midwives in transforming health service delivery towards people-centred health systems for improved health outcomes. It was also an opportunity to finalize the European strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery towards Health 2020 goals (ESDNM) and the accompanying new  European compendium of good practices.

Kyrgyz initiatives help reduce preventable child mortality 08-01-2015

Several initiatives in Kyrgyzstan, such as programmes to prevent micronutrient deficiency and anaemia and to manage common childhood diseases, have contributed to a substantial decline in child mortality. Investing in children: the European child and adolescent health strategy 2015–2020, adopted in September last year, focuses on actions to address preventable death and infectious disease in children.

Nurses and midwives: a vital resource for health 29-09-2014

Strengthening nursing and midwifery to maximize their potential and enable their full contribution to Health 2020 implementation was the focus of a technical briefing on Wednesday 17 September 2014, at the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

Revamping nursing education in the Republic of Moldova 24-09-2014

With support from WHO/Europe, a group of experts from Poland visited the Republic of Moldova on 11–14 August 2014 to help revise nursing curricula and education programmes to meet European Union standards and requirements.

Highlights of RC64 day 3 – Adoption of action plans on vaccines and prevention of child maltreatment 17-09-2014

Two far-reaching action plans – on vaccines and prevention of child maltreatment – were adopted, mapping the path for interventions in these areas until 2020.

Technical briefing at WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen, 17 September 2014 11-09-2014

A technical briefing “Nurses and midwives: a vital resource for health” will take place on Wednesday, 17 September at the sixty-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC64) in Copenhagen.

European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations (EFNNMA), WHO to collaborate on strategic directions 11-02-2014

EFNNMA and WHO/Europe have agreed on a two-year work plan to collaborate on the strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery services in the WHO European Region. EFNNMA will also contribute to the European compendium of good nursing and midwifery practices that WHO/Europe is developing.

Policy dialogue on the status of nursing and midwifery in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 20-12-2013

The National Association of Nurses and Midwives has initiated a policy dialogue on the status of nursing and midwifery in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. An initial meeting on 14 December 2013 brought together 70 representatives of the professions from public and private health institutions throughout the country.

Republic of Moldova at the Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health 05-12-2013

A delegation from the Republic of Moldova contributed to the Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health held in Recife, Brazil on 10–13 November 2013 through a WHO-organized side event on international health workforce mobility.

Meeting discusses ways to strengthen nursing and midwifery 15-10-2013

WHO/Europe recently held its second meeting of government chief nursing officers in Vilnius, Lithuania . The meeting took place in conjunction with the EU Presidency CNO/CMO meeting during 8-9 October 2013. 

Moldovan health care benefits from Poland’s experience in nursing education 24-09-2013

A group of key health care stakeholders from the Republic of Moldova visited Poland, on 19-23 August 2013, to learn from Poland’s experience in the medical education of nurses.

17th Annual Meeting of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations 10-09-2013

The 17th Annual Meeting of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations and WHO will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, 8 - 9 October 2013 in conjunction with the WHO meeting of Government Chief Nursing Officers in the WHO European Region. 

Joint meeting of the nursing and midwifery expert group with WHO Collaborating Centres for nursing convened in Copenhagen 26-28 June 2013 08-07-2013

A joint meeting of the nursing and midwifery expert group with WHO Collaborating Centres for nursing was convened by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on 26-28 June 2013. The meeting brought together government chief nurses, experts from the Academia and the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations with WHO. Its aim was to promote debate on effective strategies and policy options for strengthening nursing and midwifery in the European Region in the context of Health 2020.

Steering Committee of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery 26-06-2013

The Steering Committee of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations and WHO (EFNNMA) held its regular meeting in Copenhagen on 17-18 June 2013, hosted by Danish Association of Midwifes.

WHO/Europe in Copenhagen moving to new premises 05-04-2013

WHO/Europe’s head office, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is moving to new premises during 22 March to 1 April 2013. All United Nations organizations in the Danish capital will come together in new premises known as UN City.

Successful Cyprus EU Presidency meeting of Chief Medical, Chief Nursing and Chief Dental Officers 29-10-2012

In the context of its presidency of the Council of the European Union, Cyprus held on 9 and 10 October 2012 in Nicosia the joint meeting of Chief Medical, Chief Nursing and Chief Dental Officers.

WHO Sub-regional Meeting of Chief Nursing Officers from CIS countries 17-10-2012

The WHO Regional Office for Europe convened a sub-regional meeting of Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation on 11-12 October 2012.

WHO global forum for chief nursing and midwifery officers: strengthening their role in NCD prevention 18-06-2012

The World Health Organization convened the Fourth Global Forum for Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers (GCNMOs) on 16-17 May 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland.

WHO collaborating centres on nursing and midwifery met in Copenhagen 22-05-2012

In February 2012 the WHO Regional Office for Europe met with the network of WHO collaborating centres on nursing and midwifery. The parties agreed to further strengthen their collaboration.

European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations annual meeting, Copenhagen, 29-30 March 2012 03-04-2012

The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations held their 16th Annual Meeting with WHO on 29-30 March 2012, in Copenhagen.

Netherlands collaborating centre working on new approach to primary care 07-03-2012

On 20 February 2012, WHO/Europe agreed key research areas for the next two years with the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), a WHO collaborating centre for primary care.

Chief nursing officers renew collaboration with WHO/Europe at European meeting 13-10-2011

A meeting of the Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) of all Member States of the WHO European Region was held in Warsaw, Poland, immediately following the European Chief Medical Officers’ Meeting, on 7-8 October 2011.

European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations annual meeting in Copenhagen on 29-30 September 2011 11-10-2011

The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations held a successful two day annual meeting in Copenhagen on 29-30 September 2011. 

Poland to host meeting of Chief Nursing Officers 04-10-2011

This week, on 7-8 October 2011, a meeting of the Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) of all Member States of the WHO European Region will be held in Warsaw, Poland.

Turkey “translated into action” Tallinn Charter on Health Systems 12-05-2011

In recent years, Turkey’s national health service has undergone major reforms, yielding significant improvements in utilization, effectiveness and health outcomes. Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, has identified Turkey as a successful example of a country implementing the values and principles of the Tallinn Charter.

Meeting with the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations 22-12-2010

WHO/Europe and the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations have agreed to strengthen their collaboration and develop a workplan to frame this cooperation.

14th Annual Meeting of EFNNMA – Sofia, 29-30 April 2010 - Statement 21-10-2010

The European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations and the World Health Organization (EFNNMA and WHO) met in Sofia on 29 and 30 April 2010 and produced this document, which focuses on strengthening nursing and midwifery workforce in the WHO European Region.

World Breastfeeding week, 1-7 August 2010 15-07-2010

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Nurses and Midwives: A force for health: New report released 21-06-2010

Survey on the situation of nursing and midwifery in the Member States of the European Region of the World Health Organization, 2009 setting out the findings from the third monitoring review of the situation of nursing and midwifery in Europe, undertaken in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region during 2008/2009.

Meeting of Global Forum of Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers, 12-13 May 2010 15-05-2010

During this meeting of the Global Forum, a new initiative was launched called the global government chief nursing and midwifery officers leadership collaborative (GLC). Its purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of nurses and midwives in promoting and improving population health in Member States. A chief part of its mission will be to strengthen nursing and midwifery leadership capacity, particularly that of chief nurse and midwifery officers, in supporting health systems development.

14th Annual Meeting of the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations and WHO, 29-30 April 2010 04-05-2010

This meeting focused on the presentation of two documents: 1. Nurses and Midwives: A Force for Health - Survey on the situation of Nursing and Midwifery in the Member States of the European Region of the World Health Organization 2009, conducted between December 2008 and March 2009 2. The draft follow-up strategic document: 10 Years after the Munich Declaration - Strategic directions for moving forward from 2010-2015 for Nursing and Midwifery in the Member States of the European Region of the World Health Organization

International Nurses Day, 12 May 2010 04-05-2010

International Nurses Day (IND) is held around the world every 12 May. This day is celebrated to remember all of the valuable contributions nurses make to society and commemorates the birth of Florence Nightingale. The theme for 2010 is Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care.