12 September 2003
SEA/RC56/R7
STRENGTHENING OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT
The Regional Committee, Recalling World Health Assembly resolution WHA54.12 on Strengthening Nursing and Midwifery and the strategic directions for strengthening nursing and midwifery services for the period 2002–2008, and its own resolution SEA/RC45/R5 on balance and relevance in human resources for health for HFA/2000, Having considered the recommendations of the South-East Asia Regional Advisory Group on Management of Nursing and Midwifery Workforce, and the guidelines for effective workforce management, and Recognizing that nursing and midwifery personnel constitute a significant and vital segment of the health care workforce and noting with concern the shortage, maldistribution and lack of status of nurses and midwives in most countries of the Region, 1. URGES Member States: (a) to adapt the guidelines for management of nursing and midwifery workforce and to develop and implement a national action plan to address priority issues in this area, and (b) to provide support and adequate resources to: (i) establish or strengthen national nursing and midwifery focal points, associations and councils to take the lead in implementing national action plans; strengthen integrated national information systems on nursing and midwifery services and workforce;
(ii)
(iii) improve capacity for leadership and management training and education of nursing and midwifery personnel, and (iv) enhance the quality of nursing and midwifery services, and 2. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (a) to support countries in their efforts to adapt the guidelines and to develop and implement the national and regional action plans;
(b) to facilitate intercountry collaboration for strengthening capacity development and management of nursing and midwifery workforce in the Region, and (c) to continue to support the work of the Regional Advisory Group on Nursing and Midwifery.
Sixth Meeting 12 September 2003