HRH Princess Muna, President of the Jordanian Nursing Council (JNC), and patron for nursing and midwifery in the eastern Mediterranean region, on Monday received the Director-General’s Health Leaders Award for outstanding leadership in global health by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The princess delivered a speech at the 73rd World Health Assembly, held via videoconference, noting that designating 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife has been a driving force for collective action, adding that 2020 has served as an inspiration for millions of nurses and midwives, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The princess also noted that "health workers give themselves daily. Many have jeopardised their own health safety and life to ensure ours". 

"They truly give and continue to give despite the stress, anxiety and burnout that many are facing." 

To fight the spread of COVID-19, the princess urged prioritising healthcare systems, providing the best health services, elevating disease management and response and supporting healthcare personnel, Petra said. 

"Finally, to the millions of health and care workers, including all my beloved nurses and midwives around the world, I thank you, for your service and your dedication. Remember, you have always been and will always be my heroes,” the princess said in her concluding remarks. 

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom expressed his gratitude to the princess for her continuous support throughout the past six decades to nursing and midwifery, in particular, and the global health sector, in general, Petra reported.