ICN welcomes Côte d’Ivoire National Nurses Association into membership, further strengthening and unifying the global voice of nursing

The Côte d’Ivoire National Nurses Association has joined the International Council of Nurses (ICN), a federation of more than 130 national nursing associations around the world. With its addition, ICN strengthens the global voice of nursing.

Welcoming the Côte d’Ivoire association into ICN’s worldwide fellowship, ICN President Pamela Cipriano said: “We are delighted to have Côte d’Ivoire’s nurses join ICN, especially while the world is facing such uncertain times. With nurses working at the frontlines of disease, disaster, conflict, and everyday care, it is increasingly important for us to stand together in solidarity. Nurses are the greatest force to improve health and health equity worldwide. The Côte d’Ivoire Nurses Association will add to our collective impact to advance the nursing profession and influence essential changes in health policy and care delivery.”

Côte d’Ivoire NNA President Mr Gabin Maka said: "After 123 years since the inception of ICN, the nurses of Côte d'Ivoire are joining this great organisation, a true showcase and the undisputed voice of the nursing profession worldwide. What a joy and an honour to finally join this major federation of nurses' associations.

‘There is a popular proverb in our country which says: "to claim the wing of a chicken, you have to be where it is cut.” Also, [academic and anthropologist] Professor Georges Niangoran Bouah advised that the skin of the little doe that doesn't follow in its mother's footsteps ends up on the drum. All this is to say that we are well and truly in the right place to contribute to the development and influence of our profession.”

ICN Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton said the events of the past two years have demonstrated like never before the value of nursing, and the importance of working together globally in a systematic and strategic way through ICN.

“The pandemic and other recent events have highlighted ICN’s role in providing a platform for nurses across the world to raise their concerns and to stimulate action from governments and other stakeholders, many of whom have fallen well short of what is needed through the on-going crises.

‘We are confident that Côte d’Ivoire nurses, in solidarity with their colleagues around the world, will make an invaluable contribution. All our associations are facing unprecedented challenges at this time, and they recognise more than ever, the power and strength of unity and mutuality.”

ICN has provided its members with the tools to lobby their governments for adequate protection, training and compensation. By joining ICN - the world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals - the Côte d’Ivoire National Nurses Association enables its nurses to have a stronger voice in health priorities and policy development, not only at home but internationally as well.

Download the press release here