UTS and DFAT join to improve Pacific region health services
The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at the University of Technology Sydney will partner with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on a five-year program to support the improvement of health services across the Pacific region.
Pacific Fellows taking part in the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery UTS Pacific Leadership Program. Picture by Monique Perera
Part of a $45.5 million Pacific Health Systems Strengthening Program announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, the initiative aims to help Pacific island countries strengthen population health and health systems by improving nursing and midwifery leadership, education, standards and practice.
Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery UTS, Professor Michele Rumsey, said the funding would enable the Collaborating Centre to build on existing regional partnerships to further strengthen quality and safety of health services to meet the goals of universal health coverage for people across the Pacific, with gender equity and disability-inclusive development embedded as priorities throughout.
“Approximately 74 per cent of the Pacific healthcare workforce are nurses and midwives who deliver the majority of health services, especially in remote and rural areas,” Professor Rumsey said.
“COVID-19, as well as the ongoing impacts of climate change on our Pacific island countries, continue to highlight the immense importance of our nurses and midwives, as well as the urgent need for increased investment in primary healthcare, climate health impacts and pandemic preparedness across our region.
You can read the full article here: UTS and DFAT join to improve Pacific region health services.
