Nurses are key to global health

Photo: THOMAS YONG/The Star

EVERY May 12, the world celebrates its largest group of healthcare professionals: nurses. This year’s International Nurses Day (IND) theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring For Nurses Strengthens Economies”, is a reminder that a healthier, more resilient world depends on a supported and empowered nursing workforce.

In Malaysia, nurses make up more than 60% of the total health workforce. Their role is critical in everything from urban hospitals to remote Klinik Kesihatan or Klinik Desa. However, many face long hours, limited resources, and burnout, especially in underserved regions. While the Health Ministry has initiated programmes to strengthen nursing education and upskill the workforce, more structural reforms are necessary to address retention and support.

This year, the Malaysian Nurses Association (MNA) hosted its 75th Annual General Meeting and Nursing Seminar from May 9 to 11. As an official member of the International Council of Nurses, MNA’s event aligns with the day’s global theme, emphasising the critical role of nurses in strengthening economies and healthcare systems.

These gatherings provide a platform for Malaysian nurses to engage in professional development, share experiences, and discuss strategies to enhance the nursing profession’s impact, both locally and globally.

This year’s IND marks the global launch of the State of the World’s Nursing Report 2025, which provides an updated and expanded overview of the profession since the landmark 2020 edition. Released by the World Health Organisation, the report offers critical data on nurse distribution, education, working conditions, migration, and future workforce needs through to 2030.

The report’s findings underscore the aftermath of Covid-19: increased health system complexity, rising demand for primary care, and significant strain on nurses. In Malaysia and beyond, this reality emphasises the need for immediate investment in nursing leadership, education, and protection.

The future of nursing also lies in innovation. Telehealth, wearable technologies, and artificial intelligence are increasingly becoming integral to nurses’ daily work. Malay-sia’s nursing curriculum is gradually evolving to incor-porate digital literacy, simu-lation-based learning, and community-based training, effectively preparing young nurses for a tech-driven healthcare landscape.

At the same time, efforts to attract Gen Z to nursing must focus on career mobility, fair compensation, and leadership development. “The next generation of nurses will not just work in the ward. They will lead teams, drive policy, and deliver healthcare in entirely new ways,” says a nursing lecturer from Selangor.

Burnout, anxiety, and moral distress remain high among nurses, particularly after the pandemic. Mental health support, psychological first aid training, and peer support systems are not just perks; they are necessities for sustaining the workforce. This must be reflected in national policies, workforce planning, and budget allocation.

The Nursing Report may influence the decision to extend the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2021-2025) to 2030, a proposal that will be discussed at the 78th World Health Assembly later this month. If approved, it will provide a roadmap for governments to scale up investment and reform in the nursing profession.

Ultimately, IND is not just a celebration. It is a call to action. A call to recognise nurses not just as caregivers, but as leaders, innovators, and essential economic drivers in a complex global health landscape.

Let us honour nurses not just with words but also with policies, investment, and sustained support. The future of health, and our economies, depends on it.

NURUL’AIN AHAYALIMUDIN (PhD)

Asst Prof of Emergency Nursing

Department of Critical Care Nursing

Kulliyyah of Nursing

International Islamic University Malaysia