The Syrian Future Movement believes that celebrating International Nurses Day on May 12th each year, the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing, is not merely a ceremonial occasion, but rather an international recognition that officially began in 1974 through the efforts of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
We emphasize that this profession, which began as a voluntary humanitarian system, has evolved into a science in its own right and an indispensable pillar of any modern healthcare system, with nurses comprising more than 50% of the global healthcare workforce.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that nursing staff in Syria were the last line of defense that prevented the complete collapse of Syrian society during the long years of war.
Commemorating this day is a tribute to the thousands of Syrian nurses who worked under bombardment and in conditions lacking even the most basic occupational safety standards, providing nearly 80% of direct healthcare to patients in the most difficult circumstances.
The Syrian Future Movement points to the significant gap revealed in the “State of the World’s Nursing” reports, which show that the global nursing density is approximately 37 nurses per 10,000 people. However, the Syrian war has caused this ratio to plummet locally, reaching as low as 5 nurses per 10,000 people in some areas.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the world will need approximately 6 million additional nurses by 2030, and Syria stands out as one of the countries most in need of “retention and training” programs, especially after nearly 70% of graduates from Syrian medical institutes and universities emigrated in search of safe working environments.
The Syrian Future Movement cites recent international reports (World Health Organization 2025/2026) confirming that Syria has lost more than 50% of its medical and nursing staff due to emigration, forced displacement, and loss of life. This severe shortage poses grave challenges to the future of healthcare, requiring urgent national strategies that go beyond temporary, emergency solutions.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the World Health Organization’s slogan for this year, “Our Nurses… Our Future,” serves as a roadmap. Investing in nursing is an investment in Syrian social stability and a guarantee of access to care for every citizen in the new Syria we aspire to build. This necessitates aligning national standards with international standards to ensure the integration of Syrian nurses into the global health system.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its demand for improved living and legal conditions for nurses in Syria, the provision of a fair working environment, and the opening of opportunities for scientific research.
We pledge to our people that the health sector will remain at the forefront of our priorities, believing that a healthy Syria begins with the well-being of its citizens and a profound sense of gratitude towards those who heal their wounds.
