“A Forward-looking vision on the nursing profession post-Covid-19” was the theme of recently organized first global virtual forum by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). The objective was to study nursing profession’s future post-Covid-19. It was attended by 640 specialists and experts from around the world. The forum was organized under the auspices of Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Corporation. It also coincides with the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020 which celebrates the nursing professionals’ vital role in the front line.

The discussions included various challenges faced during Covid-19 by the nursing professionals in fields like administrative, clinical, and academics and requirements to boost the nursing profession.

Dr. Sumaya Al Balushi, Director of Nursing Department, MoHAP, underlined in her opening remarks how current Covid-19 crisis has evidently established the importance of nursing professionals in the healthcare sector. She also noted that it is important to have an optimized investment in the sector to ensure country’s goal of having a globally expert healthcare system, that would ensure its readiness to handle health emergencies and deploy universal health coverage. Al Balushi further noted how UAE has established importance of nursing profession, especially during current Covid-19 crisis that have reflected vital role of these professionals in handling the healthcare sector of the country. She further indicated that development of nursing profession is possible through constant quality training, the adoption of information technology and research, and utilization of the highest innovation standards in nursing practices.

Howard Cotton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses, showcased the supporting role played by Council for nursing profession. He further noted that the WHO has declared 2020 as the year of the nurse and midwife which stresses on importance of nursing professionals to receive further support by leaders and decision-makers and the importance of providing a positive work environment, along with provision of personal protective kit to ensure their health.

Dr. Ruwaida Al-Maaytah, Advisor to Princess Mona Al-Hussein for nursing and community health, member of the board of directors of the global campaign “Nursing Now”, a member of the High Health Council of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, brought focus on the world’s nursing and midwifery report which mentions the importance of extending support to the nursing professionals, including education, jobs, development of leadership skills.

“Global statistics indicate that there is a global shortage of nursing cadres, with the need to develop initiatives that support nursing cadres everywhere. There’s also a need to develop strategies that contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the global report to support the vital role played by nursing cadres in health systems and to forge ahead in achieving global development goals and universal health coverage,” said Al-Maaytah.

Dr. Arwa Owais, Nursing & Midwifery Regional Advisor, mentioned the measures to ensure support for nursing professionals. This is especially when global research indicates the lack of support to nursing professionals related to the investment, their migration to other workplaces, and the inappropriate work environment in some nations. She stressed on investing in other nursing specialties amid continuous development and change that is part of this profession. The specialties include critical care nursing, nursing informatics, and remote nursing. Owais further noted the need of support after the physical, psychological, and social stress they have encountered during Covid-19 pandemic.

Zulekha Yousef Al Hosani, Executive Director of Nursing at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, mentioned the City’s handling of the crisis, including redistribution of nursing staff, implementation of programmes for professional development critical care nursing, and also moral and psychological support programs. This has been contributing to an efficient handling of the pandemic and helpful in avoiding infection transmission to nursing and health staff.

Dr. Nizam Al-Naseer, Dean of the College of Nursing at the Higher Colleges of Technology, discussed distance learning strategies during the pandemic and the changes which were introduced to help in developing the nursing educational process, stressing the importance to include education standards through distance learning methods.

The forum ended with recommendations, that included importance of investment in employment, nursing services, education, positive work environment, community nursing care, and clinical leadership, strengthening professional development systems, reconsidering education strategies in accordance to technology, and implementing best nursing education practices in terms of evaluation methods and clinical training.

 WAM