It is true that medicines cure patients, but no one can deny the role of nurses in patient care. Their selfless care and warmth for patients complete the process of healing. Underscoring their role, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife”, in honour of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale — the founder of modern nursing. Qatar is also leading from the front in highlighting the role of nurses as many organisations are playing their role in recognising their role in the society.
The University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) is focusing its message on the importance and impact of nursing education in Qatar during ‘2020 International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.’
“On behalf of the University of Calgary in Qatar, we are honoured to recognise the contribution of nurses in Qatar and around the world,” said UCQ Dean Dr Deborah White.
“We are grateful to the World Health Organisation for this important designation and are looking forward to opportunities in 2020 to highlight the history of nursing in this country and all the important work nurses do to advance health and wellness here,” she added.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Year of the Nurse and Midwife is a major global effort to highlight an acute shortage of these crucial health workers.
According to WHO, the world needs 18 million more health workers to achieve and sustain universal health coverage by 2030.
Approximately half of that shortfall – nine million health workers – are nurses and midwives.
With a shortage of nine million nurses worldwide, UCQ is advancing the practice through academic excellence and work-force development, and increasing the number of nurses to work full scope in health teams to meet the complex health needs in Qatar.
Established in 2007, the UCQ is the only Canadian university in Qatar and the country’s exclusive provider of Bachelor and Master degrees in Nursing. Accredited in Canada and adapted to the local culture, the University’s curriculum provides its nursing students with the knowledge and expertise to become fully-integrated leaders in Qatar’s healthcare sector.
The UCQ offers two paths to a Bachelor of Nursing degree: a four-year program for qualified high school graduates and a two-year program for nurses holding diplomas in nursing from recognised institutions. The University also offers a Master of Nursing. This is a program designed in collaboration with Qatar’s nursing community to further develop leaders in the profession.
Some 663 nurses have graduated from the UCQ and are making important contributions to health and wellness in Qatar. Among them 108 are Qataris and 62 are male.
“Nurses are leaders in health promotion and as Qatar’s healthcare infrastructure continues to grow, more nurses are needed to meet workforce needs. Nursing has a noble history and a dynamic future. I’m excited at the chance to further profile the nursing profession in the year ahead with some special events and campaigns with our alumni and valued local healthcare partners,” said Dr White.
The number of students at UCQ have increased from just six in 2007 to 564 in 2020. Among the present students, 43 are Qatari and 61 male students.
“As the healthcare infrastructure continues to grow, more nurses are needed to meet expanding workforce needs.
At present we have about 17,000 nurses and about one percent among them are Qatari,” said Dr Nabila Al Meer, Deputy Chief for Continuing Care Group and Ministry of Public Health Nursing Affairs. Dr Al Meer is also a member of the UCQ Board of Trustees.
Nurses and midwives form the largest professional workforce within the healthcare system of the country and, as such, play an instrumental role in defining the care and services provided to our patients and their families. The workforce is very diverse, which mirrors the equally diverse patient population group. This is immensely beneficial in providing to care to patients in a language they are more comfortable with and where language can otherwise be a barrier to treatment optimisation.
More than 10,500 nurses and midwives working work across Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) hospitals, clinics, homecare, and residential services.
There has been a 12 percent increase in nursing staff from 2016-2018, and this has enabled HMC to meet increased demand for healthcare services (for instance, this has facilitated a 17 percent increase in outpatient activity).
To mention, The Nursing and Midwifery Strategy 2018-2022 contributes significantly to the plans and objectives set out by Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2018-2022 and HMC’s strategic plans.
The strategy reflects a global shift in thinking by focusing on seven priority population groups and aims to shape services around people, patients and their families and change the way the health system works, moving from focusing on treating the symptoms of disease to helping people stay healthy. A strong, passionate and highly skilled nursing and midwifery workforce will play a major role in achieving the National Health Strategy’s ambitious aims.
2020: Year of the Nurse and Midwife
This year is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife – but why and what does it mean? Read this section to find out.
Q: What is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife?
A: A year-long effort during 2020 to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives, highlight the challenging conditions they often face, and advocate for increased investments in the nursing and midwifery workforce.
Q: Why is 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife?
A: In May last year the World Health Organisation confirmed that 2020 would be dedicated nurses and midwives, providing a “once in a generation opportunity” to showcase the professions. It chose the theme to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
Florence Nightingale
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale on May 12, 1820. As well as her work during the Crimean War, the nursing pioneer campaigned for healthcare improvements, especially on infection control. In 1859, she published Notes on Nursing.
Q: What are the aims of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife?
A: The WHO wants to raise the status and profile of nurses and midwives, and to highlight that the world needs nine million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 and, therefore, to encourage global government investment in the two professions.
Q: What the key organisations partnering on the event?
A: World Health Organisation, International Confederation of Midwives, International Council of Nurses, Nursing Now and the United Nations Population Fund.
