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'Angels in blue' who nurse you back to health

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised the UAE's efficient and quick response to Covid-19

It could not be more timely that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse. The courageous work of nurses and other healthcare workers in face of Covid-19 honours the 200 years of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the foundational philosopher of modern nursing. 
Nurses account for more than half of all the world's health workers, providing vital services throughout the healthcare system, and the Covid-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need to strengthen the global health workforce.

A new report, 'The State of the World's Nursing 2020', provides an in-depth look at the largest component of the health workforce. Between 2013 and 2018, nursing numbers increased by 4.7 million. But this still leaves a global shortfall of 5.9 million - with the greatest gaps found in countries in Africa, South East Asia and the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as some parts of Latin America.

To avert the global shortage, the report estimates that countries experiencing shortages need to increase the total number of nurse graduates by an average of eight per cent per year, along with improved ability to be employed and retained in the health system.

To equip the world with the nursing workforce it needs, WHO and its partners recommend that all countries increase funding to educate and employ more nurses; monitor nurse mobility and migration and manage it responsibly and ethically; educate and train nurses in the scientific, technological and sociological skills they need to drive progress in primary healthcare; establish leadership positions including a government chief nurse and support leadership development among young nurses; and ensure that nurses in primary healthcare teams work to their full potential.

The UAE has been at the forefront of global efforts to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus through implementing preventative measures to ensure public safety, gaining the admiration of the international community. And leading these efforts are the healthcare workers, comprising of nurses in large numbers. 'The angels in blue' are working round-the-clock to monitor patients as well as supporting doctors in the fight against Covid-19.

Anumol Varghese, a nurse at Prime Hospital, says: "I am proud to be a part of UAE healthcare system. UAE has a comprehensive healthcare service. I feel scared at times but I have taken an oath to serve with tender, love, and care to patients who are in need. This gives me the strength to serve my fellowmen. Also the support, facilities and dedication of the UAE government make me feel secured to do my work."

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched an initiative to enhance the attractiveness of the nursing profession that will contribute to the provision of excellent healthcare. This will enhance the Emiratisation plan set out by the ministry.

Hospitals in the UAE are state-of-the-art and provide high levels of clinical care. Nurses are required in many specialities including ICU, emergency, acute, surgical and many more. The UAE is home to top-notch specialised nursing institutes, one of them being the RAK Medical and Health Sciences University.

As the nation intensifies its efforts to fight the spread of Covid-19, medical staff are working constantly to monitor and detect early cases and implement the necessary quarantine measures. Hospitals have increased their critical care facilities, while the nurses ensure healthcare operations running smoothly.