7 April 2020 is the day to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives and remind world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy. Nurses and other health workers are at the forefront of COVID-19 response - providing high quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears and questions and, in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies. Quite simply, without nurses, there would be no response.

In this International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, World Health Day will highlight the current status of nursing and around the world. WHO and its partners will make a series of recommendations to strengthen of the nursing and midwifery workforce.

This will be vital if we are to achieve national and global targets related to universal health coverage, maternal and child health, infectious and non-communicable diseases including mental health, emergency preparedness and response, patient safety and the delivery of integrated, people-centered care, amongst others.

The International Council of Nurses is calling for support on World Health Day to ensure that the nursing and midwifery workforces are strong enough to ensure that everyone, everywhere gets the healthcare they need.

Share photos and stories on social media explaining why their work is vital. Use #SupportNursesAndMidwives and #COVID19 tags.

NURSES ARE VITAL: We cannot achieve universal health coverage without nurses and midwives. Celebrate their contributions to achieving the goal that everyone, everywhere has quality health care.

INVEST IN NURSES: Improving nurses’ working conditions, training and leadership skills will enhance health, empower women and strengthen local economies. Make the case for more investment in nursing.