Skopje / Regional – 12 May 2026
On the occasion of International Nurses Day, annually observed on 12 May, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) joins the global community in recognizing the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives to health systems and societies.
This year’s theme, launched by the International Council of Nurses — “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives” — underscores the urgent need to move beyond recognition toward meaningful investment and structural support for the nursing workforce.
SEEHN strongly echoes this call, reaffirming its sustained commitment to supporting the development of a well-prepared, resilient, and empowered health workforce across South-Eastern Europe.
In April 2026, SEEHN, in cooperation with RHDC on Nursing and Midwifery and the Romanian Order of Nurses and Midwives, convened a regional seminar in Bucharest titled “Strengthening Health Workforce Capacity through Trauma-Informed Care as a System Competency.” The event brought together representatives from across the region to explore how trauma-informed approaches can be embedded at system level, supporting both patient care and workforce wellbeing.
The discussions highlighted the importance of leadership, safe working environments, and continuous professional development as key pillars for strengthening health systems. In this context, SEEHN has also initiated discussions on future collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Leadership and Governance in Nursing, exploring concrete pathways to further support leadership development and workforce capacity in the region.
SEEHN remains committed to advancing regional cooperation and facilitating knowledge exchange among its Member States, with a continued focus on:
- Investing in education and training systems for nurses and midwives;
- Promoting leadership and professional empowerment;
- Supporting safe and enabling working environments;
- Strengthening the voice of nurses in health policy and decision-making processes.
As SEEHN approaches its 25th anniversary, the Network reiterates that investing in nurses is not only a health priority, but a strategic imperative for resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems
