Work

More community nurses are needed in Romania

200 Community Nurses to be trained and hired   

Press statement, 1st November 2006

The Romanian Children’s High Level Group announce a new “civil society-government partnership” to promote community nursing in Romania.

The Romanian Children’s High Level Group will fund the training and employment of 100 community nurses – with funding the Romanian Government for another 100.

Community nurses carry out valuable preventative health care work at the village level, advising vulnerable young mothers about the risks of childbirth, and ensuring better access to health and social services.  The result is a reduction in child mortality and abandonment.

This investment in community nurses marks an important step forward for the National Action Plan on the Prevention of Child Abandonment of Babies.

In support of this initiative, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP says:
“The number of babies who have been left in Romanian hospitals has dramatically reduced in recent years, thanks to the growth of preventative services, but there is still much work to be done.

‘Strengthening the family is at the heart of improving child welfare and that is why this initiative is so important. We hope to have 100 community nurses in post by Christmas and the remainder by the end of January.”

“Community nurses play a decisive role in supporting vulnerable women who are pregnant.  Not only do they advise women who are considering leaving their children, but they provide the advice needed for women to get better access to medical and social services.

“Each community in Romania would benefit from a community nurse, and it is in the interest of health and public authorities everywhere to make this investment – an investment in their own futures.”