Noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Highlights:
– World Health Day
– COVID-19/Nurses
– Together At Home
– Peacekeeping
– Mali
– COVID-19/Uzbekistan
– COVID-19/Jordan
– Nigeria
– East Africa
– COVID-19/Geneva Discussions
– Cameroon
– Libya
– Rwanda
WORLD HEALTH DAY
Today is World Health Day.
The Secretary-General dedicated his message this year to all the healthcare workers — nurses, midwives, technicians, paramedics, pharmacists, doctors, drivers, cleaners, administrators and many others — who work, day and night to keep us safe.
He said, “today, we are more deeply grateful than ever to all of you, as you work, round the clock, putting yourselves at risk, to fight the ravages of this pandemic.”
The Secretary-General stressed that in these traumatic times, we stand with healthcare workers, and he told them “you make us proud; you inspire us. We are indebted to you.”
2020 is also the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, and the Secretary-General also gave special recognition to their expertise and their commitment.
COVID-19/NURSES
A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners says that the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need to strengthen the global health workforce, with nurses being on the frontline in the battle against the virus.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros said that nurses are the backbone of any health system, adding that the new report, entitled “The State of the World’s Nursing 2020,” is a wakeup call to ensure they get the support they need to keep the world healthy.
Today, there are just under 28 million nurses worldwide, with a global shortfall of 5.9 million, with the greatest gaps in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean region and Latin America.
The report estimates that countries experiencing shortages need to increase the total number of nurse graduates by on average 8 per cent per year, along with improved ability to be employed and retained in the health system.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=07%20April%202020