TRAGEDY IN INDIA

The delegation from the Trained Nurses Association of India at the ICN Congress pictured with CNMF Deputy President, Mrs Rosemarie Josey.

The CNMF wishes to express its deepest sorrow at the recent tragedy for India with the devastating crash of Air India 171 in Ahmedabad with the loss of so many lives, many of whom will be family or friends of members of the Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) as well as colleagues from other health professions.

The CNMF President, Professor Kathleen McCourt writes: "CNMF is sending to members of TNAI all of our thoughts and prayers as we see the air craft disaster which has taken place  in India.

There are bound to be relatives and friends and many families linked to TNAI members and our hearts are aching for them all at this sudden tragedy.

Thinking of you all."

CNMF members and friends who wish to send a message of support can contact the TNAI Secretary General, Mrs Evelyn Kannan, on tnai_2003@yahoo.com.

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ORAL HEALTH PROJECT

The CNMF has joined with C3 Collaborating for Health and the World Continuing Education Alliance in a project on oral health funded by Colgate. The project aims to provide education for nurses and midwives on oral health as well as exploring changes to patient intake and nursing and midwifery care plans to provide a more comprehensive assessment of oral health.

Oral health is vital to an individual's general health and wellbeing. Healthy teeth and gums are an essential element for maintaining adequate nutrition and supporting digestion. Nurses and midwives can play a critical role in detecting oral health disease and in educating individuals, families and communities about oral health.

As part of the Oral Health Project, the Commonwealth Children's Choir has recorded the most delightful song: 'Brush my Teeth' sung to the tune of Frere Jacques. The song may be freely used for educational purposes.
 

 

NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

The CNMF welcomes the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth, the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

The Hon Shirley Botchwey was appointed as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at the 2024 CHOGM in Samoa, and took up her appointment on 1 April 2025.Shirley Botchwey is the 7^th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; the 2^nd woman to hold the position; and the first woman from Africa. Prior to her appointment, Ms Botchwey served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and was a member of Ghana’s National Security Council. The Hon Shirley Botchwey brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in diplomacy, international relations, governance, and public service to the position.

The CNMF President and Board, and CNMF members and friends welcome Ms Botchwey to the important position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

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ICN 'NURSES FOR PEACE' CAMPAIGN

The CNMF is supporting the International Council of Nurses (ICN) 'Nurses for Peace' campaign. The campaign highlights the ongoing suffering endured by ordinary people caught in conflicts and wars beyond their control. The ICN ‘Nurses for Peace’ campaign, provides humanitarian assistance to nurses working under dire and often perilous circumstances.

To learn more about the ‘Nurses for Peace’ campaign and download the regular updates, go to:

https://www.icn.ch/how-we-do-it/campaigns/humanitarian-fund-nursesforpeace  

To donate to the campaign to support nurses caring for people in conflict zones and provide them with care for their own physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, go to:

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   26th CNMF BIENNIAL MEETING OF
                    MEMBERS

The 26th CNMF Biennial Meeting of Members was held on 26 September 2024 at the new premises of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses in Qormi Malta.

>> Presidents Report Biennial Meeting of Members 2024
>> Executive Secretary Report 2024

Three new Policy Statements have been finalised and are being circulated to members for endorsement.

>> Policy Statement on Health Equity for endorsement
>> Policy Statement on Universal Health Coverage for endorsement
>> Policy Statement on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response for endorsement

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6th COMMONWEALTH NURSES AND
        MIDWIVES CONFERENCE

>> Conference 2024 Program
>> Book of Abstracts Conference 2024
>> Message from Commonwealth Secretary General
>> Message from Anne Gallagher Commonwealth Foundation
>> Message from ICN President Pamela Cipriano

A very successful 6th Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference was held 27-28 September in Malta. The Conference was held in partnership with the Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives. The Malta chapter of the Commonwealth Children's Choir performed at the opening ceremony. Presentations from the conference will be uploaded to the CNMF website as soon as possible.
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