On the occasion of International Day of the Midwife (5 May) and International Nurses Day (12 May), Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and the national association for nurses and midwives, ANIL, have announced the appointment of a Chief Nursing Officer within the ministry.
In a joint press release issued this morning, ANIL and the Health Ministry recalled the importance of the healthcare sector, especially in light of the current health crisis. It is in this context that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.
In the State of the World's Nursing 2020 report, governments and all stakeholders have been asked to invest in training, jobs and leadership for nurses. Meetings between Health Minister Paulette Lenert and representatives from ANIL provided an opportunity to discuss the report's demands.
Health Minister Paulette Lenert commented: “For me, international day, like the year of the nurse and midwife, is a unique opportunity to express our gratitude to this health profession. In addition to doctors, they are primarily responsible for ensuring human contact with the patient. Nurses therefore have our full support in furthering the quality of their education and their important roles in the field of care".
Consequently, a Chief Nursing Officer will serve as a new contact person at the Ministry of Health, from 1 June 2020. Various stakeholders will be able to direct their questions concerning the nursing and care professions to this individual, who will also be involved in strategic decisions in the care sector.
Anne-Marie Hanff, President of ANIL, stated: “Nurses are the experts in the field and must be able to participate in nursing policy themselves. The "Chief Nursing Officer" is an important step and an immense appreciation of the work of every nurse during and after the corona pandemic!"
