Prioritising the well-being of nurses and midwives can improve the quality of patient care, maintain the number of nurses and midwives and make the country's health system stronger and more resilient. The Minister of Health stressed that if the welfare of nurses and midwives is ignored, it can lead to increased absenteeism, stress and errors in the work, which ultimately burdens the country's health system.

In a message in conjunction with the International Nursing and Midwifery Day, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, also stressed on the need for policymakers and relevant parties to take decisive steps to develop a strong and sustainable nursing and midwifery workforce, while empowering their welfare through a safe, full practice authority, supportive and appropriately recognised work environment. In Brunei Darussalam, several important efforts have been and are being implemented. Among them; Strengthening the Qualifications and Skills of Nurses and Midwives, and Strengthening Quality and Safety.

The Minister of Health also highlighted that the problem of shortage of nurses and midwives needs to be addressed through continuous long-term planning, including paying attention to their welfare and well-being. This matter is important as it directly affects the quality of health services and also the country's economic development. The theme of this year's International Nurses Day, 'Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives', underscored the importance of empowering nurses through the provision of a safe work environment, full practice authorisation, leadership opportunities, professional support and fair compensation. Meanwhile, the theme of International Day of Midwife 'Midwives: One Million More Midwives' calls for immediate investment in midwifery education, employment, regulation and leadership to address the global shortage of midwives.