2020 marks the 200^th birthday of Florence Nightingale, whose lifetime of contributions to nursing still make impacts today, as such it is only fitting that the World Health Assembly deem 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

Around the world, there are 22 million nurses and 2 million midwives that work to diagnose illnesses, assist with births and provide treatment to patients from all walks of life. By 2030, the world will require 9 million more nurses and midwives in order to keep up with the expected health care demand. Not only do nurses and midwives work to treat existing illness, but they also provide invaluable contributions in disease prevention and essential care, especially in areas of conflict where local health care is not always a guarantee.

The combined duo of nurses and midwives are the foundation upon which strong healthcare systems are built. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to strengthen that global foundation by increasing awareness of nursing and midwifery, and working to encourage more skilled training and education among those already in both fields.

“Throughout 2020 we will focus on the critical
contribution nurses and midwives make to global
health. If the world is to meet its SDG target
of providing universal health coverage, it must
urgently address the global shortfall of 9 million
midwives and nurses.”

TekTone is a proud supporter of local nursing education, providing nurse call solutions to the Health Sciences Simulation Lab at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC. In 2020, we will continue to support nurses and midwives within our community and around the world.

For more information on how you can get involved with supporting the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, visit the WHO’s website to find out what you can do to support this group of healthcare workers in the coming decade.

Follow along on social media with the hashtags #SupportNursesandMidwives #Nurses2020 and #Midwives2020