On behalf of the Centre, we would like to express our sincere appreciation of Elizabeth Iro’s vast contributions to global nursing and midwifery during her tenure as Chief Nursing Officer of the WHO. Ms. Iro’s strong advocacy for nurses and midwives and investment in leadership capacity-building at regional and global levels were especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, Ms. Iro played a pivotal role in the development of the WHO State of the World’s Nursing Report 2020 and the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025, key documents which are shaping the future of nursing and midwifery professions globally. Ms. Iro’s succession marks the end of an effective tenure, and her legacy is reflected in current and subsequent generations of improved nursing and midwifery leadership.
Director Prof. Michele Rumsey and Elizabeth Iro
WHO CC UTS is pleased to celebrate the appointment of colleague and partner Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu to the role of Chief Nursing Officer at the World Health Organization Headquarters. Prior to her appointment, Dr Amelia Latu was a member of the WHO Execute Board from 2020-2022, she was the first female Minster of Health of Tonga and first Tongan to receive a PhD in Nursing. Dr Tuipulotu has worked closely with WHO CC UTS; notably in her time as a Pacific Leadership Fellow and as Chair of the South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Alliance (SPCNMOA). The Centre congratulates Dr Tuipulotu on her appointment and celebrates her ongoing commitment to regional and global nursing and midwifery leadership outcomes.
Prof. Michele Rumsey, Helen Mudoch CNO Kiribati, Dr. Ameila Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu WHO CNO, Howard Catton ICN CEO, Cook Islands Health Secretary and Elizabeth Iro WHO HQ
As WHO’s Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Iro has championed, nurtured, and supported nurses and midwives to ensure that their skills and experience are being used effectively to strengthen national and regional health systems, as well as to support the critical role nurses and midwives play as frontline workers who are often the first point of contact between communities and the healthcare systems which serve them.
WHO has appointed Dr. Amelia Latu Afuha’amango Tuipulotu to the role of Chief Nurse. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Tuipulotu was a member of the WHO Executive Board from 2020-2022. In addition, she was the first female Minster of Health of Tonga, and the first Tongan to receive a PhD in Nursing. Dr Tuipulotu has worked closely with WHO CC UTS; notably in her time as a Fellow of the Pacific Leadership Program and as Chair of the South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Alliance (SPCNMOA). The WHO CC UTS Centre congratulates
Dr Tuipulotu on her appointment and celebrates her ongoing commitment to regional and global nursing and midwifery leadership outcomes.
Director of WHO CC Prof. Michele Rumsey’s first meeting with Nurse Tuipulotu (far Rt) in Tonga, 1998
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his enthusiasm for Dr. Tuipulotu’s appointment:
I am delighted that Jeremy and Amelia will join WHO at a critical time in global public health when investment in both the health workforce and science is imperative to strengthening health systems and outbreak preparedness and prevention. As Chief Nursing officer, Amelia will ignite the all-important need not only to fill the gap in health workers worldwide but also to ensure they receive the support they need and deserve.
To access the full WHO HQ press release, click here.