Who is missing at the WHO? The nursing voice excluded from policy at World Health Organization

From: www.icn.ch
Geneva, Switzerland; Valletta Malta, 7 May 2011 – Expressing extreme concern at the lack of nursing policy presence within the World Health Organization (WHO) structures, an emergency resolution* was passed by the governing body of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) at its biennial meeting held in Valetta, Malta. The official representatives of ICN’s member national nurses associations voted unanimously to demand that the WHO Director General empower and finance nursing leadership positions throughout the organization.
“At this time of health system redesign aiming to enable access and costefficiency, it doesn’t make sense for WHO to advocate for nurses to fully participate in the health care team at the clinical level, yet exclude them from playing their full role at the policy table,” declared ICN President Rosemary Bryant.
“As we move to discussion of the Resolution on Nursing and Midwifery at the upcoming World Health Assembly, we urge member states to add their weight to the call on Dr Chan to remedy the appalling lack of nursing leadership positions throughout WHO structures, including at headquarters and in the regional offices, beginning with reestablishment of the post of WHO Chief Nurse Scientist.”
Editor’s notes
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally since 1899. ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all and sound health policies globally.
*The Board of Directors and the Council of National Representative of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) resolved: The WHO Director General should empower and finance nursing leadership positions throughout WHO and immediately recruit suitably qualified expert nurses and appoint them to the vacant positions at WHO Headquarters, regional and national offices in order to support an organisation wide structure that facilitates the full contribution of nurses to the entire range of the WHO responsibilities.
For further information contact Linda Carrier-Walker
Tel: +41 22 908 0100 – fax: +41 22 908 0101
Web site: www.icn.ch