Geneva, Switzerland, 15 January 2021
The World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA) has released a message to the public requesting continued support and real action to support health professionals and other health and care workers in 2021.
On the eve of the 148th WHO Executive Board the Presidents of the five organisations, who make up the WHPA, representing 34 million health professionals globally, mark the start of the Year of the Health and Care Worker with a request.
International Council of Nurses President, Annette Kennedy, reminds us that “we have all left a difficult year behind us. As health professionals, most of us have been fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of us got ill ourselves, and there is a long list of health professionals who have died because they were assisting their patients.”
World Physiotherapy President, Emma Stokes, adds that “We got a lot of applause from our fellow citizens. We appreciated the recognition; however, what we urgently need is real support and, most importantly, action. We need more than kind words and applause in the evening.”
Simple but practical recommendations are made by the presidents, including:
- requesting lawmakers to better invest in healthcare, healthcare education and careers, and pandemic preparedness.
- following government advice: avoiding close contact with others, keeping physical distance, washing hands, wearing a mask and ventilating rooms regularly.
- getting vaccinated.
The short video message can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycy8DoP4sF0.