I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.
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These words were spoken by British social reformer Florence Nightingale, who is the revered founder of modern nursing.
This year is being recognised as the Bicentenary of Florence Nightingale, marking 200 years since her birth, as well as being the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Florence Nightingale came from a wealthy family and defied all of the expectations and traditions of the time to become a nurse and take care of strangers.
The intention of both the Bicentenary of Florence Nightingale and Year of the Nurse is to highlight the important role nurses and midwives play in the delivery of health care around the world. They are the front line of the health system. The fact this year has been gripped by a pandemic is a bitter coincidence, just as if we really needed any reinforcement the importance these professionals play in our lives.
Our nurses and midwives have been providing the health care we need for years but also championing some of the most important developments in human health. Around the world nurses have been credited with championing the campaign which led to the eradication of smallpox.
They have also been key soldiers to combat the spread of other diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis A and B and many more. Nurses enlist and are at the epicentre of every major crisis or natural disaster.
History has documented the selfless nature of the profession and how they often have to put themselves in harm's way, such as with the latest pandemic, to simply do their job. The World Health Organisation, in convening 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, is calling for nine million more nurses around the globe by 2030 to be able to achieve universal health care for all.
Today the Illawarra adds its voice to those around the world in saying thank you to our wonderful nurses and midwives for the work you do and the sacrifices you make ... all whilst the world whirls.
