Health workers should work in the safest possible conditions

(Patria) - Associations of nurses-technicians from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District, together with the Nursing Strengthening Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, express gratitude and emphasize the importance of nurses-technicians in the fight against the coronavirus.

At a time when we are facing a pandemic, we are sincerely grateful to everyone who is tirelessly working to contain the coronavirus. Health workers are on the front lines, especially nurses-technicians who provide necessary care to patients and educate the population on ways to prevent the spread of the virus, while risking their own health. It is important that they all work in the safest possible conditions and receive all necessary support.

If it was not entirely clear by now that this profession needs to be recognized and further strengthened, the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly confirmed it. Nurses-technicians are the most numerous health workers in any health system – there are nearly 30 million of them worldwide, and around 20,000 in BiH. But it is not just their numbers that make them special. They are closest to the patient and know their community best, and they have always been at the center of prevention and control of infectious diseases. Without respecting and further strengthening this profession, it will not be possible to respond to the numerous global health challenges of the 21st century. These include an aging population with multiple chronic diseases and epidemics of new infectious diseases.

Thanks to their rich experience and knowledge, associations of nurses-technicians are an important partner in planning emergency responses like this one, as well as in creating health policies and planning health services. This is confirmed by the experience of the Nursing Strengthening Project (ProSes) in BiH, which has been intensively supporting nurses-technicians and health institutions in BiH at various levels since 2012. Through the project, work is being done on regulating the nursing profession, standardizing services, strengthening professional associations, and improving nursing education. ProSes combines domestic and Swiss knowledge and experience: it is implemented by the fami Foundation from BiH and the University Hospitals of Geneva, and financed by the Government of Switzerland.

We call on citizens to adhere to all official recommendations and preventive measures, which will likely be crucial in the fight against the coronavirus. Let us ease the responsible and demanding work of health workers and help save many lives. We also invite you to join the global campaign from your balconies and windows every evening at 8:00 PM and express your gratitude and support to all health workers with applause.