World Health Day

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, wherever you are.

Today is WHO’s birthday. It was on the 7th of April 1948 that WHO came into being.

It’s a day we mark every year as World Health Day.

This year, it may not seem that there are many reasons for celebration.

The world is in the grip of the most severe health crisis of our time.

The COVID-19 pandemic is reminding us of the vital role all health workers play, especially nurses and midwives.

Every day, nurses are putting themselves at risk to alleviate suffering and save lives.

They’re reorganizing wards to open more beds for COVID-19 patients, while continuing to provide care for other patients with urgent health needs, including women in labour.

They’re taking stock of equipment and lending it across units.

They’re learning on the job with information that changes daily – even hourly.

And nurses are doing the unthinkable. Because critical COVID patients are isolated, the last human touch they may feel is that of a nurse’s hand.

I hear stories about nurses video-calling family members late in the night, so they can say goodbye to a dying relative.

Because health workers are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19, they’re also among the most at risk.

More than 3 000 health workers have been infected, and many have paid the ultimate price.

When health workers are exposed or become sick, they have to go home and stay there for at least two weeks. Hospitals scramble to find replacements.

That’s why we must ensure that health workers have the medical masks and other personal protective equipment they need.

Meanwhile, babies are still being born. Midwives are still trying to provide care to make pregnancy and childbirth the safe and joyful experience it should be.

Midwives are doing their best to stay in touch with their clients by phone and screen. But not all women have phones. They worry for those they can’t reach.

Today is a day to celebrate nurses and midwives, to thank them for everything they do, and to commit ourselves to doing everything we can to support and protect them.

One of the lessons I hope the world learns from COVID-19 is that we must invest in nurses and midwives.

A new report issued by WHO, Nursing Now and the International Council of Nurses reveals a global shortfall of 5.9 million nurses.

We are committed to supporting countries in filling that gap - and in ensuring that nurses and midwives receive the training they need, the recognition they deserve, and decent conditions and salaries for their work.

To every nurse and midwife, I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

You have our deep admiration, respect and gratitude.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.


Virtual events live

The State of the world’s nursing 2020 report provides the latest, most up-to-date evidence on and policy options for the global nursing workforce.

Live Q&A on the State of the World’s Nursing Report with Carey McCarthy

Tuesday, April 7, 10:00 – 10:30 (CEST)

Live: Dr Tedros and Elizabeth Iro: In conversation with nurses and midwives on the COVID-19 frontlines

Tuesday, April 7, 14:30 – 15:15 (CEST)


CALL TO ACTION: We are calling for your 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.

The tagline for World Health Day 2020, April 7 is : Support nurses and midwives.


In Haiti, where maternal mortality rate remains the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the UN Population Fund works with partners to address the shortage of qualified midwives, who are key to saving mothers and newborns . (Video courtesy: UNFPA)