ICN Presents ZUNO with Memento Honoring Nurses and Midwives

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has presented a memento to Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) in recognition of 2020 as the year of the Nurse and Midwife and the role the ZUNO played in supporting nurses during

ICN memento in form of a unique coin and certificate presented to ZUNO recognizing 2020 designated as Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

the Covid 19 pandemic.

In a letter addressed to the ZUNO President Tisa Chiponda, ICN President Annette Kennedy, stated that the Covid 19 pandemic has shown the benefits of working together, sharing information and supporting each other.

The Memento in form of a unique coin and certificate was designed specially by one of ICNs’ past Board members, Kallooa Bagooaduth, a nurse and recognised artist in Mauritius.

The ICN President noted that although Covid 19 pandemic denied the nurses to commemorate the year 2020, the ICN could not let the designated year fade without acknowledging, not only the difficult year for nurses and midwives, but also remember nursing colleagues who lost their lives in the pandemic.

She said “The power is in strength of unity and purpose.” adding that nurses need to keep up the momentum in order to compel policy makers to invest in nursing and improve pay conditions.

And acknowledging receipt of the memento, the ZUNO President thanked ICN on behalf of Nurses and Midwives in Zambia.   Mrs. Chiponda expressed gratitude stating that the memento is very significant and a reminder of unity exhibited by nurses and midwives during a very difficult time.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) designated the year 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” which also happened to be the Bicentenary of Florence Nightingale, the architect of modern nursing.