Vietnam needs to enhance investment in nursing training or else the country may face visible lack of between 40,000 and 50,000 nurses and midwives by 2030, said the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Vietnam Kidong Park. Dr Park made the remark at a conference in Hanoi on May 27, co-conducted by the WHO, Vietnam National Union of Health Workers (VNUHW), the Vietnamese Association of Midwives (VAM), on running “Nursing Now” campaign launched by the WHO and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). At the talks, Chairman of the VAM Pham Duc Muc informed that Vietnam now has nearly 140,000 nurses and midwives while the rate of nursing staff per 10,000 heads of population is 11.4, less than half of global average. Besides, Chairman of the VNUHW Nguyen Thanh Binh noted that working hours of health workers have considerably increased by 3.65 hours per day during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period, according to the latest survey involved the union’s 70 units. Hence, Vietnam should generate more suitable jobs for nurses, provide intense training, and boost occupational proficiency. Nurses should be empowered to take leadership as the country is close to a rapidly aging population, Mr. Binh elaborated. Vietnam strives to have 25 nurses for every 10,000 locals in 2025, and by the year, nursing workers are set to reach minimum level of college per WHO’s recommendation. (Bao Chinh Phu, Bao Dan Sinh, Nhan Dan, Tuoi Tre, Dang Cong San)
