Nurses and Midwives huge factor to achieving SDG 3;



“We cannot do everything at once but we can do something at once”. These are the words of United States of America’s 30th President, John Calvin Coolidge Jr. This statement has never lost its flavour especially when applied to a critical subject such as health.
 Firstly, it should be known that there is no country with the perfect health sector, equally there is no country that can cure all of its unhealthy people. However there are health care systems that can be termed as the best. 
   Every country on the planet today, regardless of its development status, strives to have a health system that delivers quality health care for its people and takes steps to design appropriate health policies to that effect.  This is simply because it has a significant impact on not only the general health of the citizens but the country’s economic situation. Most countries have realised that delivering quality health care cannot be achieved without effective involvement of   those who are in the front line of service delivery, the Nurses and Midwives. The month of May has been globally set apart for this critical component of human resource for health as the world takes time to reflect on the role and impact they are making in the health sector and society as a whole.
  On May 05 and 12 each year Midwives and Nurses commemorate International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses day respectively.  The 2017 theme for midwives is "Midwives, Mothers and Families: Partners for Life!” and “Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” for the nurses. 
SDG number 3

3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births

3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths of new-borns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births

3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases

3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

3.6 By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents

3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes

3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

3.a Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate

3.b Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all

3.c Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States

3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
  Both themes are focusing on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3; Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all ages.  SDG number 3 focuses on among other things reducing maternal mortality, ending preventable deaths of new-born and children under five, ending AIDS and other communicable diseases, Strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and achieving universal health coverage.
The everyday work of this cadre of health care professionals is however not limited to helping attain SDG number 3.  Their work also has a major impact on SDGs on education and poverty often referred to as Social Determinants of Health (SDH).
  Zambia is reshaping its health policy to focus on the SDG number 3 which is also in line with the national vision 2030 to attain a prosperous middle income status by the year 2030.
To achieve this the government of Zambia plans to have a health system that is effective, efficient, acceptable, equitable, safe and accessible.
  A number of health facilities are being built and upgraded. Matero and Chilenje Level I hospitals in Lusaka were recently upgraded and commissioned by the Republican President Edgar Lungu which saw the two previously urban health centres elevated  to hospital status with the hope of  decongesting Levy Mwanawasa and University Teaching Hospitals.
  During the occasion of commissioning President Lungu affirmed health as the centre of all policies in order to entrench health promotion and disease prevention and control in government’s plans on health. While this may seem like any other developmental project to others, for those interested in healthcare reforms in this country, it is much more than that. Up-grading the two health facilities is but part of the implementation of Zambia’s health policies and it does not end there. 
  The nursing and midwifery profession is critical in monitoring the effectiveness of public health policy at every level to ensure increased access to quality health services for all. This is what nurses and midwives are voicing out this month of May. As members of their communities and professionals, nurses and midwives are conversant with health and community issues, cultures and challenges. They are better placed to advice on how health policies are designed, developed and implemented for maximum positive impact. When nurses and midwives are called to the decision making table they will be able to demonstrate that decision making on critical matters is already part of their job. It is on this table where they will voice out why even well-meaning policies fail and how we as a country can avoid or handle implementation gaps. Realising the SDGs is everyone’s responsibility. Nurses and midwives are boldly pronouncing their role. 

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