International Nurses Day(IND) is annually celebrated across the globe on 12th May to acknowledge the selfless contribution of the Nurses across the globe and to highlight the sacrifices they make.
The International Nurses Day 2022(IND2022) recognises the selfless service of the nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and those living in conflict zones around the world, including Ukraine.
- The day is observed to mark the birth anniversary of British Nurse and statistician Florence Nightingale, one of the founders of modern nursing. She was born on 12th May 1820 in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany(Italy).
The theme of IND2022 is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health”.
Note:
The annual observance of the International Nurses Day(IND) is led by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
Background:
i.In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland an official with the United States(US) Department of Health, Education and Welfare proposed to Dwight D. Eisenhower. 34th President of the United States of America(USA) to declare “Nurses’ Day”.
ii.The International Council of Nurses(ICN) has celebrated the IND on May 12th since 1965.
Florence Nightingale:
i.Florence Nightingale, popularly known as “The Lady with the Lamp”, is famous for her work during the Crimean War (1854 – 1856).
ii.She published her book titled “Notes on Nursing: What it is, and What it is not” in 1859.
iii.She was the first woman to be honoured with the Order of Merit (1907), a British honorary institution founded by Edward VII in 1902.
Nursing:
i.According to the World Health Organization(WHO), around 27 million men and women make up the global nursing and midwifery workforce, which is nearly 50% of the global health workforce.
ii.WHO estimates that for all countries to reach Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 3 on health and well-being, the world will need an additional 9 million nurses and midwives by the year 2030.
