PAHO connects nursing and midwifery leaders to strengthen the health workforce

Washington, DC, 25 September 2025 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held the Regional Workshop on Nursing and Midwifery Leadership: Strengthening Competencies and Connecting Experiences from September 3 to 24, 2025.

More than 1,200 nursing and midwifery leaders and professionals from 40 countries of the Region of the Americas participated in the workshop, which aimed to strengthen the competencies of government chief nursing and midwifery officers, and other leaders in the Region through technical discussions, exchange of experiences, and dissemination of good practices.

The workshop, held over four virtual sessions, addressed key topics such as strategic workforce planning, leadership and influence on the global agenda, use of data and evidence for decision-making, formulation and implementation of public policies, working conditions, and global health challenges. Panelists included experts from Ministries of Health, PAHO, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), academic institutions, and the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

"PAHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting countries of the Region in developing national plans to strengthen nursing and midwifery, promoting collaboration networks, and creating spaces for exchange and capacity building," said Benjamín Puertas, Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health, PAHO. "We trust that this knowledge will be multiplied, fostering the development of new leadership and helping to continue building a profession that is increasingly strong, recognized, and essential for health in the Americas," he added.

The workshop highlighted the importance of investing in leadership capacity-building for nursing and midwifery, given their central role in transforming health systems towards more resilient, equitable, and sustainable models. It also showcased successful experiences from different countries in the Region that may serve as references for other contexts.

"In a context where health systems face increasingly complex challenges, we need spaces that strengthen the leadership of nursing and midwifery professionals, boost their capacity to influence, and promote joint and sustainable solutions" said Bruna Moreno, International Consultant, Human Resources for Health at PAHO.

This initiative reinforces PAHO's commitment to technical cooperation actions to strengthen nursing and midwifery leadership in the Region of the Americas.