![]() ![]() Just as health and care workers are the lifeblood of every health system, so the lifeblood of WHO is its staff – the incredible people all over the world I am honoured to call my colleagues, in country and regional offices, and here at headquarters.įor almost 18 months, they have worked under extreme pressure, and time and time again they have gone above and beyond to serve you, our Member States, despite the modest resources they have to do their jobs. I hope you will adopt them and, more importantly, take action on them, in every country. This week you will consider two draft resolutions on the health workforce. If we have any hope of achieving a healthier, safer, fairer future, every Member State must protect and invest in its health and care workforce as a matter of urgency. The job can be dangerous and disheartening but it can also be the best job on earth.Ī year ago, we published the first State of the World’s Nursing Report, and just last week we launched the third State of the World’s Midwifery Report, showing the world faces a global shortage of 900 000 midwives. We owe them so much, and yet globally health and care workers often lack the protection, the equipment, the training, the decent pay, the safe working conditions and the respect they deserve. In this International Year of the Health and Care Worker, we have all been reminded that these are incredible people doing incredible jobs under incredible circumstances. Many feel frustrated, helpless and unprotected, with a lack of access to personal protective equipment and vaccines, and the tools to save lives. They sweat and swear they laugh and cry they fear and hope. Health and care workers do heroic things, but they are not superheroes. Many have themselves become infected, and while reporting is scant, we estimate that at least 115 000 health and care workers have paid the ultimate price in the service of others. They have saved countless lives, and fought for others who despite their best efforts, slipped away. There are millions more stories of courage, heartbreak, desperation, struggle and triumph.įor almost 18 months, health and care workers all over the world have stood in the breach between life and death. Today we will honour him with an award for his service, sacrifice and example. Ten patients died in the fire, and in trying to save others, Dr Denciu suffered third-degree burns to 40% of his body. ![]() He was on duty in November last year, caring for patients with COVID-19, when a fire broke out in the hospital. What keeps me going is two words from them: thank you.”ĭr Catalin Denciu is an intensive care specialist in Romania. Many patients recover and leave the hospital. My patients are no different to my grandmother and grandfather. During my last shift, three people died in an hour. “During my first shift, I lost my grandmother to COVID-19. The spread of the virus was curtailed and the lockdown was removed.ĭr Gantsengel Purev is an intensive care specialist at the Central Military Hospital in Ulanbataar, Mongolia. Communities started following COVID-19 guidelines and accepted to be tested. After weeks of engaging leaders, things started to change. When COVID-19 arrived last year, a strict lockdown was introduced, but it was met with strong resistance by the local community, who refused to be tested, isolated or treated.Īs she made her daily rounds, providing information about the dangers of the new virus, Lucy was insulted in the streets and she and her team sometimes had to stop working for their own safety.īut Lucy kept going back to the community. Lucy Nyambura is a health promotion officer in Mombasa City, Kenya. Your Excellency Alain Berset, Federal Counsellor of Switzerland,Įxcellencies, distinguished colleagues and friends, Your Excellency Madam President, Ambassador Keva Bain, ![]()
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