Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and Emirates Health Services (EHS) have hosted the regional launch of the State of the World's Nursing (SoWN) report for the Eastern Mediterranean region, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The report was introduced during a virtual event attended by senior officials from MoHAP, EHS, WHO, and healthcare representatives from across the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was held in conjunction with International Nurses Day, marked this year under the theme 'Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.' It provided a comprehensive review of the report's findings and strategic recommendations. A regional panel discussion was also conducted, bringing together nursing experts from various countries to discuss the future of the profession.
Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, highlighted that the findings and recommendations of the report will serve as a strategic roadmap for developing the nursing profession at the regional level, strengthening its essential role in achieving universal health coverage. He noted that the UAE played a significant role in the preparation of the first report, launched in 2020, and has utilized its recommendations to create a clear roadmap within the framework of the National Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery 2022-2026.
Al Olama emphasized that the second edition of the report offers a forward-looking perspective on the nursing workforce. He stated that the UAE's leadership in launching the report in collaboration with WHO is an international recognition of the country's unique model, which successfully turns challenges into innovative opportunities, leading to significant progress in advancing the profession and empowering the healthcare workforce.
Dr. Yousif Mohamed AlSerkal, Director-General of Emirates Health Services, remarked that the UAE's hosting of this event in collaboration with WHO reaffirms its leading position in advancing the nursing profession both regionally and globally. He noted that this milestone is a testament to the visionary guidance of the UAE's leadership in positioning the country as a key partner in shaping the future of health professions and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare systems, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.
Dr. Sumaya Al Blooshi, Head of the National Committee for Nursing and Midwifery in the UAE, pointed out that the second State of the World's Nursing Report 2025 reflects a shift in the global perception of the nursing profession. She highlighted the UAE's commitment to establishing an advanced institutional model for nursing, built on scientific foundations, high professional standards, and rigorous quality benchmarks.
The SoWN Report 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of the nursing workforce and its role in promoting universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report outlines significant challenges facing the sector, including a projected global shortage of 4.1 million nurses by 2030, with a substantial portion of the shortage concentrated in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean regions. It also highlights a global disparity in the distribution of nurses, with 78% of nurses serving only 49% of the world's population, thereby widening the gap between wealthy and low-income countries in nursing intensity.
The report also assesses countries' progress in developing regulatory frameworks for the profession, noting that 92% of countries have such frameworks in place, and 62% have developed advanced nursing roles to improve efficiency and expand access to care, particularly in underserved regions.