COVID-19 And World Health Day 2020

Medical personnel (Irvan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The theme of the World Health Day which falls every April 7 today is respect for nurses and midwives. How big is their contribution to world health, especially in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic. Then, how is the history until the world determines today as world health day?

As quoted from the WHO website, world health day is commemorated in conjunction with the establishment of the WHO institution by the United Nations (UN) in 1948. 26 UN member countries have ratified the formation of WHO, as well as setting the anniversary of world health.

One of the figures who initiated the birth of WHO was Jawarharlal Nehru. He is a major freedom fighter from India.

Since the beginning of WHO, the aim of holding this World Health Day commemoration is to raise awareness. Health awareness in certain diseases which focus differently each year.

Over the past 50 years, this World Health Day has raised important health issues such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change. This celebration is marked by prolonged activity, not just today, as a moment to focus worldwide attention on important aspects of global health.

It's #WorldHealthDay! Today, we celebrate the work of nurses & midwives by showing our appreciation for their bravery, courage & resolve in the global # COVID19 response.Tell us who your favorite nurse or midwife is 💐. # SupportNursesAndMidwives ➡️ https: // t.co/ZFkbyJFmG0 pic.twitter.com/02Skex6uW8

- World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 6, 2020

Thank you nurses and midwives

Quoting the official WHO website, the current world health day has the theme of appreciating the contribution of nurses and midwives in keeping the world healthy.

The theme of nurses and midwives on World Health Day 2020 is an opportunity to highlight how they work around the world. While celebrating these medics as one of the most valuable resources in every country.

Its role is vital. Especially during the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19, the role of nurses and other health duties is at the forefront. They are willing to risk their own health in order to protect the wider community.

As quoted by Newsweek, the new coronavirus outbreak has claimed more than 100 doctors and nurses around the world. Most of those who died came from Italy. In addition, countries where many of the medical personnel died include China, Britain, France, Spain and Iran.

Nurses are at the frontline of battling pandemics like # COVID19.On #WorldHealthDay and every day, let's show our gratitude by doing our part and following public health advice from WHO and national health authorities: https://t.co/bLIh31l66x#SupportNursesAndMidwives pic.twitter.com/s3LyWBWHRf

- World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 7, 2020

In addition, this moment of World Health Day is also an opportunity to advocate for the world's health authorities to strengthen the nursing and midwifery workforce, improve their education and working conditions, and enable them to work to their full potential.

On this occasion, WHO released data on nursing resources around the world. Currently, according to WHO data, the global nursing workforce is 28 million people.

However, that number is still lacking. In 2018, for example, WHO noted that there was still a shortage of nurses in the western pacific region. The west pacific countries include Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries.

The shortage figure is around 350,000 people. Meanwhile 89 percent of the shortage is concentrated in low-income countries.

It is hoped that this will become a reflection material for governments around the world to pay more attention to nursing and midwifery workers in particular.