From December 10–12, 2024, Associate Professor Dr. Ameporn Ratinthorn, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Mahidol University, participated in the “Regional Meeting to Accelerate Progress Toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) though Nursing and Midwifery Strategy and Leadership.” The meeting, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for South-East Asia, took place in Bali, Indonesia.

Associate Professor Dr. Ameporn Ratinthorn attended in her capacity as Co-Chair of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centers for Nursing and Midwifery Development (GNWHOCCNM) Executive Committee and as a representative of WHO Collaborating Centers for Nursing and Midwifery Development at the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University. She was joined by Assistant Professor Dr. Supapak Phetrasuwan, Associate Dean for International Relations and Corporate Communication, and Assistant Professor Dr. Thitipong Tankumpuan, Associate Dean for Research.

The meeting aimed to support the acceleration on progress toward universal health coverage and the sustainable development goals through strengthening country nursing and midwifery leadership by sharing and strategizing utilizing national, regional and global initiatives. Delegates explored strategies to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the nursing and midwifery workforce through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Participants included:

• Government Chief Nursing Officers and Ministry of Health officials responsible for nursing and midwifery policy planning.
• Experts advising on workforce data, capacity building, and skill-mix optimization.
• Technical officers from UNFPA’s Asia-Pacific Regional Office specializing in midwifery.
• WHO Focal Points for Nursing and Midwifery from South-East Asia Region (SEARO), Western Pacific Region (WPRO), and WHO headquarters.

This gathering marked a critical step in ensuring the nursing and midwifery workforce is prepared to meet future healthcare demands. The event concluded with a shared commitment among participants to enhance health service quality and accessibility across South-East Asia, demonstrating the vital role of nursing and midwifery in achieving global health goals.