WKC’s first online Forum honors nurses
23 November 2020
Nurses, public health nurses and midwives are at the forefront of healthcare, dealing with health crises caused by infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and emergencies such as natural disasters.
As part of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the WHO Kobe Centre (WKC) collaborated with local nursing partners to host its first Forum held online due to COVID-19, on “Nurses at the Forefront – their Role and Prospects in Global Health” to recognize the key contributions of nurses and midwives.
Around 300 people participated in the Forum with strong engagement of local academic and service provision partners (1) Using WHO’s State of the World Nursing Report which has been translated into Japanese, they discussed the current situation of nursing in Japan and issues facing Japanese nursing personnel. The meeting also heard from nurse academics and practitioners on the role of nursing in responding to COVID-19 and its impact on nursing in homes, hospitals, quarantine stations and nursing centres, as well as the future role of nursing.
“The COVID pandemic has brought to light the tremendous contribution that nurses and midwives make throughout the world, while at the same time facing challenges in service provision, heavy workloads, and sometimes limited resources. Sadly, some health professionals have faced COVID-related stigma and discrimination, just when we need solidarity to face the pandemic together,” said WKC’s Director, Dr Sarah Barber in her opening remarks.
The meeting organiser and WKC technical officer responsible for disaster management and health emergencies, Dr Ryoma Kayano, reminded delegates about the difficulties for nurse professionals working with great responsibility and expectations on challenges facing the world for the first time. He stressed that nurses and nursing needed to be supported throughout society.
“In line with Kobe City’s slogan ‘Be Kobe’, WHO’s three slogans for COVID-19 are: ‘Be Safe, Be Smart, and Be Kind’. I want to emphasise ‘be kind’ and the need to show respect and compassion,” said Dr Kayano.
“No matter how careful you are, you may get infected, but blaming a person will drive the infection into hiding and result in further spread of the disease. You could be in that position tomorrow. Healthcare and nursing professionals are taking risks themselves to contribute to the future of humanity. Remember that when you are in need, it is the healthcare worker who will help you.”
Participants expressed their gratitude to WKC for the opportunity to showcase nurses and nursing. WKC will continue to provide support so that healthcare workers, including nursing professionals, and people in society can work together to tackle the pandemic.
(1) Partners and speakers included the Upper House of Councillors; National Center for Global Health and Medicine; University of Hyogo; the Kobe City College of Nursing; Hyogo Nursing Association; the Japanese Nursing Association/Nursing Now; St Luke’s International University Graduate School; the University of Science and Technology; Chiba University; Hyogo Prefectural University; Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center; Kobe University Hospital; Tokyo Quarantine Station; and Kobe City Public Health Center.