WHO Introduces Regional Strategy to Strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Across Central Asia

A new framework, named Central Asian Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030 has been launched by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Europe Office in collaboration with the health ministries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The framework focuses to strengthen and modernize the nursing and midwifery workforce across the Central Asia.

The framework was developed after four years of close discussions with the chief nursing and midwifery officers, international partners, WHO collaborating centres, and experts from all five countries of Central Asia. It defines the vision of building a flexible healthcare workforce. The framework displays its focus on updating nursing education, improving how care is delivered, building professional leadership, and creating an improved working environment for nurses and midwives.

According to WHO’s data, nurses and midwives constitute 74% of practising health professionals in Central Asia. With majority of them being under the age of 44, the framework concentrates on the need to reinforce recruitment, improve retention, and ensure long-term investments in the healthcare sector.

WHO confirmed its commitment to supporting the governments in implementing the Strategic Directions. This includes improving institutional capacity and supporting policies that allows nurses and midwives to practice to their full potential.

The launch of the new framework marks a significant milestone for Central Asian Countries, showing strong intend to advance the healthcare workforce reforms and establish accessibility to high-quality healthcare all over the region.

Reference

https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/11-12-2025-governments-in-central-asia-chart-strategy-to-strengthen-nursing-and-midwifery