Message sent by the Cuban Ambassador to nursing professionals from Cuba and Jamaica

Every May 12th, the International Nurses Day is celebrated.

On this occasion, the date is even more special not only because the World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to proclaim 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife; but also due to the complex world epidemiological scene, in which the vital and heroic work of nurses has been demonstrated.

According to a recent report published by the WHO, the nursing personnel is the largest occupational group in the health sector, gathering nearly half of the total health workers in the world, almost 28 million professionals. Approximately 90 percent of this figure are women.

If we count the hours spent at any health service and consider who spends more time with patients, in truly difficult environments where extreme stress is only part of the job, perhaps many of us would notice more clearly that the work you do is essential.

As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said, nursing professionals are "the backbone of any healthcare system."

You play a key role in all medical institutions, you help bring new lives into the world, you tirelessly care for the sick and injured, and are responsible for the well-being, safety, and recovery of patients.

The efforts to achieve universal health coverage and sustainable development goals would prove futile without the beautiful and noble work of nurses.

Your ability to respond quickly and effectively to the most complex medical situations; the dedication in your care, your devotion to patients and the impetus of your performance, have been clearly tested in the current coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic and the complex challenges posed by this disease.

For all this, please accept our most sincere recognition and congratulations on this day.

We are sure that with your undeniable vocation for solidarity and altruism, you will continue to increase the beautiful pages of unlimited commitment that you write as faithful exponents of this human profession.

We also extend our congratulations to your Jamaican colleagues, with whom you face the increasingly complex challenges of health services.

Warm regards,

Inés Fors Fernández
Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Jamaica
12 May 2020