Recognizing the Front-liners: the World Salutes nurses and midwives

Dear All,

“World Health Day” is an annual event on April 7 observed by the World Health Organizations, United Nations Organizations, and many countries to draw the public’s attention to topics in global health.

The slogan for this year’s World Health Day is: “Support nurses and midwives“. On this day, the world celebrates and observes the work of nurses and midwives to remind world leaders of the crucial role they play in keeping the world healthy and happy. 

This year, “World Health Day” is a special day as it aligns with the first “International Year of the Nurse and Midwife“, to honor the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. This day also honors the persistence and courage of nurses and other health workers who are doing their utmost at the forefront of the COVID-19 response – providing high-quality treatment and care, and addressing the community’s fears and questions. Quite simply, without nurses, there would be no meaningful response.

During this time of uncertainty, more than ever, we need to bring attention to the courageous nurses and other health workers on the front lines, day and night, doing their utmost to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Although the (COVID-19) pandemic is still far from over, we are determined to overcome it and protect our people here and everywhere. Yes, we will get through this crisis together and proceed to thrive.

Take care of yourself, stay safe, stay informed and stay inside.  

Happy World Health Day.

Ghassan Shahrour, MD

 

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): COVID-19 front-liner’s perspective

Dear colleagues,

It pleases me to share this from COVID-19 front-line.

As commonly known, exposure to radiation causes a variety of alterations to the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA. Some of these alterations or mutations may lead to many harmful and dangerous impacts including the development of new unknown series of viruses that may cause a pandemic even more dangerous than the present COVID-19, which was caused by a new strain of coronavirus in humans. This radiation can be caused by any use of nuclear weapons, no matter how small, in any part of the world. So sooner or later radiation will constitute a disastrous human security threat to every part of the world regardless of its location, nationality, religion, race, or color.

As a physician, campaigner, and COVID-19 front-liner, I believe I have to highlight this argument in my efforts to educate the public and governments on the catastrophic consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, such as the destruction of human life, health, and environment. Moreover, the United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons is not only a must but also very urgent.

Take care of yourself, stay safe, stay informed and stay inside.

Ghassan Shahrour, MD