The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean organized an expert group meeting in Cairo on 8–10 December 2015 to discuss practical steps to strengthen nursing, midwifery and allied health regulation in the Region. The meeting was attended by regional and international experts and representatives of allied health, nursing and midwifery regulatory councils, orders, accrediting bodies and ministries of health of countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
The objectives of the meeting were:
- to describe the situation of nursing and midwifery regulation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region based on the findings of the Eastern Mediterranean regulation survey;
- to present successful experiences in regulation of the health workforce from within and outside the Region;
- to identify the priorities for strengthening the regulation of these three categories of professionals; and
- to identify and suggest actions to strengthen nursing and midwifery regulation in the three groups of countries;
- to suggest options for implementing robust regulatory policies and practices that will protect the health of the public.
The need for the meeting was identified during the regional forum on the future of nursing and midwifery, held in Amman, Jordan on 24 April 2015 under the patronage of HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein. Nursing and midwifery regulations were the subject of considerable discussion and debate during the forum, and were identified as among the key challenges impeding delivery of safe and competent nursing and midwifery care. Several feasible and appropriate solutions to tackle the obstacles that are impeding progress in these professions were identified.
In his message Dr Alwan highlighted three important points: the crucial contribution of nurses, midwives and allied health in improving the health outcomes of individuals, families and communities; the great need of countries for feasible actions to strengthen health professionals’ regulation to ensure that the public is provided with adequate, quality and safe health care; and the importance of looking at action points delineated in the framework for action on strengthening regulation to identify appropriate ways to assist countries in their efforts to establish or strengthen national regulatory agencies.
Over the three-day meeting, participants engaged actively in plenary discussions and group work, reflecting on the situation of health professionals regulation in the Region and on international experiences and best practices in strengthening regulatory processes. Opportunities were given to participants to discuss the short-, medium- and long-term action points outlined in the regional framework for action on strengthening nursing and midwifery 2015–2025.