Nursing Now is delighted to tell you that yesterday the World Health Organization Executive Board endorsed our proposal to officially declare 
2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

We proposed this last year and are thrilled that Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, has been such a positive supporter. Speaking at the meeting yesterday, he stressed the importance of nurses in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.

The proposal was formally put forward at the meeting by a representative from Jamaica, supported by representatives from Australia and Finland. 

To make it official, the proposal will need to be confirmed by the World Health Assembly in May, but,  given the support it has received so far, we are confident it will be formally endorsed.

This is a great cause for celebration and a step forward towards our goal of improving health, gender equality and economic strength by raising the profile and status of nursing.

2020 will be a great year for nursing!