Director, Michele Rumsey of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at University of Technology Sydney attended the WHO regional forum for health in Vietnam in November 2018.
Director Health Sector Development WHO – Dr Vivienne Lin; Director WHO CC UTS – Ms Michele Rumsey; WPRO Regional Director Designate – Dr Takeshi Kasai; Director WHO CC AHPRA - Nick Lord.
This strategic biennial forum brings together WHO Collaborating Centres from the region who are instrumental partners providing strategic support in implementing WHO’s mandate and programmes. This is the third forum of its kind following WHO wanting to maximise Collaborating Centres contribution by ensuring alignment between their work and WHO priorities.
This third regional forum built on the progress made in previous forums and focussed on WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2023 (GPW 13) which clearly defines the “triple billion” targets: 1 billion more people with health coverage, 1 billion more people protected from health emergencies, and 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.
Further discussion was held on how the WHO Collaborating Centres can meet country needs and deliver results at the country level, along with future opportunities for collaboration between WHO and the WHO Collaborating Centres.
Dr Indrajit Hazarika, Technical Officer of Health Workforce Policy in the WHO Western Pacific regional office with nursing and midwifery WHO Collaborating Centres.
In line with this focus, a sub group on human resources for health discussed the development of two important reports– The State of the World’s Nursing Report and the State of the World’s Midwifery 2020 report – which are underway and will require any relevant input throughout 2019. The aim of these reports is to drive investment into nursing and midwifery workforces to help achieve universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. The reports will inform policy dialogue and strengthen nursing and midwifery. Data to inform the reports will be collected via National health Workforce Accounts, Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers, regulators, associations, non-governmental organisations, education institutes and WHO Collaborating Centres.
Dr Margaret Chan, former Director General, World Health Organization with nursing and midwifery WHO CCs.
Strategic events such as these are an effective way for the WHO Collaborating Centre at UTS to maintain professional relationships within the region; remain informed of current strategies and issues; and advocate for the nursing and midwifery health workforces.