2020 Retrospective: Year of the Nurse and Midwife

Published ahead of International Nurses Day on 12 May 2021.

The International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH) and International SOS, the world’s leading health and security services company, launch a retrospective on the 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

Long before COVID-19, the year 2020 had been designated by the World Health Organization as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife to advance nurses' and midwives' vital position in transforming healthcare around the world. The global pandemic has made nursing even more vitally important, but also more challenging for nursing staff worldwide. With the ‘2020 Retrospective: Year of the Nurse & Midwife’, the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH) and International SOS want to pay tribute to nurses and midwives for their outstanding contributions to health and care, as well as look at initiatives and experiences in digital health that can support them.

Claudia Bartz, PhD RN, ISfTeH Board Member and Telenursing Working Group Co-Chair, commented,

“The release of this publication anticipates International Nurses Day, 12 May 2021. We are hopeful that the experience of COVID-19 during 2020 and continuing into 2021 will raise awareness and appreciation of nurses and midwives and give greater attention to their value. These providers should have safe, adequately staffed work-places, fair pay and benefits, and inclusion at all levels of healthcare decision-making.”

The ISfTeH recognises and values that nurses and midwives are the largest group of professionals in healthcare, and they are the closest to the patients and families. The ISfTeH Telenursing Working Group envisions nurses extending their reach through technology and improving the quality of healthcare delivery worldwide. Its mission is to provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and experiences of nurses, midwives and others who are working with or supporting nurses using eHealth applications. There is also the ISfTeH Working Group on Women, which develops actions to support and promote the role of women in the areas of telemedicine and eHealth in the world.

Dr Neil Nerwich, Group Medical Director, Assistance at International SOS said,

“We are delighted to be able to support this fantastic initiative. Nurses and midwives live up to a huge commitment every day, and this has been even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that our team of dedicated nurses have, like others around the world, stepped up to these challenging times with courage and selfless devotion. It is vitally important that we acknowledge, value and celebrate their essential work.”

During the pandemic nurses and midwives have shown the value of their intellect, courage and skills. This is sometimes called The Three H’s (Head-Heart-Hands).

The ‘2020 Retrospective: Year of the Nurse & Midwife’ includes:

To download a copy of the ‘2020 Retrospective: Year of the Nurse & Midwife’, click here.

For further information contact:

Frederic Lievens, Vice Executive Director, ISfTeH
M: +32 478 59 36 99
E: info@isfteh.org

Notes to Editors

About the International SOS Group of Companies
The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity and sustainability.

Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London & Singapore, is trusted by more than 9,000 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune 500, as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions and NGOs. 13,000 multicultural medical, security and logistics experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.

To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips: www.internationalsos.com


About the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH)
The International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH) is the global network of national Telemedicine and eHealth associations and other actors and stakeholders who are involved in the development, deployment and use of digital health services and technologies. The ISfTeH supports the international dissemination of knowledge in Telemedicine and eHealth, provides access to recognized experts in the field worldwide and facilitates collaboration among its members. The ISfTeH is currently developing a range of services and programs related to quality review and accreditation/certification of telehealth services, specific training and educational programs, regulatory and registration assistance, and legal guidance on digital health topics. The ISfTeH is recognized as a Non-State Actor in Official Relations with the World Health Organization.