The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), an initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), has partnered with the global Nursing Now Campaign and the International Council of Nurses to train young nursing leaders from around the world to amplify their voices and positively influence healthcare policy, ahead of attending the annual World Health Assembly.
Young nurses from 18 countries participated in five days of meetings, talks, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Twenty-four individuals were selected from more than 750 applicants and came from Qatar and other countries from around the world.
During their time in Geneva, the nurses visited the WHO headquarters, where they learned about the work of WISH and other international organisations who are collaborating to build a healthier world.
The nurses were also made part of the International Council of Nurses delegation to the main World Health Assembly sessions, the first time young nurse representatives have been part of such an official delegation.
Partnerships Manager at WISH Nick Bradshaw added: "It's easy to underestimate the contribution that nurses make to global health, and for too long that is exactly what has been happening. The Nursing Now campaign is working tirelessly to promote the profession of nursing and we are delighted to have partnered with them to give young nurses a voice at the World Health Assembly meeting.
"Our Doha summit is now an essential fixture of the global healthcare calendar, but it is important that after each summit we identify key issues highlighted by our community of experts, and then collaborate with local and international partners, such as Nursing Now, to find innovative ways to find lasting solutions to those issues," he added.
Director of Nursing at Hamad General Hospital Asmaa al-Atey and one of two Qatari nurses to participate in the Geneva sessions, said: "I was very honoured to represent the nursing community of Qatar alongside the other young nursing representatives from around the world.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation with the WHO director-general, to meet the WHO chief nursing officer and other global healthcare leaders, and to have the chance to share knowledge with nurses from so many countries."
The WISH report was used by the participants as the basis of discussions on how to identify issues facing nurses and how best to overcome them.
It is estimated that there will be a shortfall of nine mn nurses globally by 2030.
Nurses represent 50% of the global healthcare workforce, and the WISH report identified a lack of opportunity for nurses to lead and shape policy as a serious obstacle in vital efforts to attracting and retaining high-quality, qualified nurses.
Twenty-four individuals were selected from more than 750 applicants and came from Qatar and other countries from around the world.
During their time in Geneva, the nurses visited the WHO headquarters, where they learned about the work of WISH and other international organisations who are collaborating to build a healthier world.
The nurses were also made part of the International Council of Nurses delegation to the main World Health Assembly sessions, the first time young nurse representatives have been part of such an official delegation.
Partnerships Manager at WISH Nick Bradshaw added: "It's easy to underestimate the contribution that nurses make to global health, and for too long that is exactly what has been happening. The Nursing Now campaign is working tirelessly to promote the profession of nursing and we are delighted to have partnered with them to give young nurses a voice at the World Health Assembly meeting.
"Our Doha summit is now an essential fixture of the global healthcare calendar, but it is important that after each summit we identify key issues highlighted by our community of experts, and then collaborate with local and international partners, such as Nursing Now, to find innovative ways to find lasting solutions to those issues," he added.
Director of Nursing at Hamad General Hospital Asmaa al-Atey and one of two Qatari nurses to participate in the Geneva sessions, said: "I was very honoured to represent the nursing community of Qatar alongside the other young nursing representatives from around the world.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation with the WHO director-general, to meet the WHO chief nursing officer and other global healthcare leaders, and to have the chance to share knowledge with nurses from so many countries."
The WISH report was used by the participants as the basis of discussions on how to identify issues facing nurses and how best to overcome them.
It is estimated that there will be a shortfall of nine mn nurses globally by 2030.
Nurses represent 50% of the global healthcare workforce, and the WISH report identified a lack of opportunity for nurses to lead and shape policy as a serious obstacle in vital efforts to attracting and retaining high-quality, qualified nurses.
