Howard Catton

Nurse & CEO International Council of Nurses, Geneva

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Huge thanks to all @ICNurses Associations for being the global voice of nursing this fall and delivering statements on issues ranging from AI to health emergencies at the WHO regional committtees that have been taking place around the world.

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

Representing ICN at the 73rd @WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in Cairo, Dr Kawthar Mahmoud, President of the Egyptian Nurses Syndicate, delivered ICN’s statements, highlighting the importance of empowering nurses and strengthening their leadership role in health systems.
Dr Mahmoud also met with WHO Director-General @DrTedros , reinforcing the importance of nursing leadership and nurses’ contribution to stronger health systems.
We thank Dr Mahmoud for representing ICN and the voice of nurses across the region!
🔗 Explore ICN’s statements and advocacy at WHO EMRO: https://t.co/NWNeo31WlS

#EMRC73
@WHOEMRO

[Nursing Times @NursingTimes]

WHO to be advised by early career nursing group https://t.co/vaNh0YfLft

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Delighted that @ICNurses Student and Early Career Nurses are members of the WHO Youth Council. Given the changes in global health it’s critical that the voices of those whose futures are most at stake are listened to.

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

During the @WHO Youth Council in Berlin, Josephine Agyei, Chair of the ICN Alliance of Student and Early Career Nurses #SECN, delivered a presentation on building meaningful youth leadership in nursing and global health.

Ms Agyei highlighted the importance of providing structural support through sustained leadership opportunities and long-term investment in emerging health professionals.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/ESlJRvJKoK

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

“Nurses worldwide have a direct stake in WHO’s future” – ICN writes to all candidates for DG of the @WHO proposing 4 nursing priorities https://t.co/pJST5bmWmx #health #nursing

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

First visit to the impressive Cleveland Clinic and Cape Western University Nursing school. @ICNurses are working closely on nursing taxonomy that will have global relevance to nursing’s visibility as well as learning from their significant technology and leadership expertise.

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

“Nurses are the rock ’n’ roll of global health.”

ICN CEO @HowardCatton delivered the Rozella M. Schlotfeldt Lecture in Cleveland yesterday. He presented powerful evidence of nurses keeping communities healthy, managing chronic disease, and shaping ethical tech/AI. Health systems must now back them with investment, fair pay, safe conditions and the authority to lead.

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Tragically I fear attacks on #healthworkers and facilities have become normalized. If we are serious about the right to health we have to be equally serious about the rights of those who risk their own lives to deliver that. Firm action requires ending impunity #NotATarget

[Hans Kluge @hans_kluge]

Attacks on health workers and health facilities cannot become the new normal.

Lebanon’s 🇱🇧 Health Minister, Dr Rakan Nassereddine, raised this concern with me on the margins of #EMRC73 in Cairo, and he expects the next WHO Director-General to act firmly on it.

This reflects a commitment in my manifesto – launching a Heads of State Coalition to prevent attacks on health care, supported by an independent global monitor reporting to WHO’s governing bodies.

We also discussed sustained support for Lebanon as it rebuilds with limited resources, as well as the needs of displaced people.

I outlined how my vision of a country-first WHO would help – through predictable financing and a stronger presence in conflict-affected countries.

The reconstructed Karantina central medical supplies warehouse, supported by Japan and WHO, shows what such support can deliver.

The Minister also asked a fundamental question: how do we ensure that access to vaccines and lifesaving tools does not depend on a country’s political influence?

My position is clear: health must always come above politics. The WHO I want to lead will serve every Member State fairly, regardless of its size, wealth, or political influence.

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

Strengthening collaboration for nursing education, leadership and workforce development.

At the #WorldHealthSummit, ICN President Dr José Luis Cobos Serrano congratulated Dr Tomas Zapata on his appointment as Director of the @WHO Academy. Their conversation explored opportunities for collaboration, with a further meeting agreed in Lyon.

Dr Cobos Serrano said: “We share the view that education should go hand in hand with dialogue and strengthening the health workforce.”

ICN looks forward to building on this shared vision to empower nurses through education, support their professional development and strengthen their leadership across health and care.

#WHS2026 #Nursing @WorldHealthSmt @jlcobosserrano @TomasZapata111

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Humbled to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing alongside my colleague Gill Adynski and very appreciative of the recognition by the prestigious Academy of @ICNurses

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Delighted to contribute to this must read for anyone interested in #nursing, healthcare, policy and politics edited by Diana Mason our magnificient @ICNurses GNLI Director. Mentor, friend and inspiration to so many Nurse leaders.

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

When I look at global health I see #Nursing everywhere. If you don’t believe me check out @ICNurses report from this years WHO World Health Assembly.

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

"Nurses belong at the policy table as well as the bedside table."

Explore "From WHA to Action: A Nursing Policy Guide for Global Health Advocacy & Decision-Making", ICN’s official report on the 79th World Health Assembly #WHA79. Gain practical insights into the economic power of health for all, ethical recruitment, strengthening leadership and education, and more.

🔗Read our report: https://t.co/zFVpfh3TKL

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Great to spend time with aspiring diplomats and discuss the big global health challenges and the critical importance of supporting #nurses and all health workers. Good luck to you all with the fantastic careers that I’m sure are ahead of you.

[genevaschoolofdiplomacy @genevadiplomacy]

GSD welcomed @HowardCatton, CEO of the @ICNurses, for a discussion on nursing leadership, workforce shortages and resilient health systems, moderated by Assist. Prof. Nikica Darabos, M.D., Ph.D.

#GlobalHealth #NursingLeadership

[World Patients Alliance @WorldPatients]

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲.

Recent work from 𝐖𝐇𝐎/𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 highlights the importance of mentorship, professional development, supportive working environments and career opportunities in helping nurses build sustainable careers.

Supporting nurses throughout their professional journey is not only a workforce priority. It also contributes to stronger, safer and more sustainable care for patients.

Through 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬, the 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 continues to highlight the value of supporting nurses and strengthening the environments in which they learn, grow and work.

#HeartOfHealthcare #CelebratingOurNurses #Nurses #NursingWorkforce #PatientCentredCare #PatientSafety #HealthcareWorkforce #WorldPatientsAlliance

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[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

“Nursing is the new IT” …. Interesting news from Poland of a renewed interest in #nursing particularly from those looking for a second career and people that are leaving banking and finance.
https://t.co/2EQBZZaY5k

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

You can watch Rosa’s powerful story through the QR code and how her journey took her to starting her #Nursing education.

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

At the @WHO @HRPresearch screening of Rosa – These Storms, ICN CEO @HowardCatton urged action on violence against nurses, whose protection and support too often lag behind the risks they face:

"If we want to protect the right to health, we have to protect the rights of health workers and eliminate the gap between risk and protection."

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

Want to be part of the largest international gathering of #Nurses in 2027? Registrations now open for ICN Congress. See you in Taipei!

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

🎉 Registrations are now open for the ICN Congress 2027!

Join thousands of nurses from around the world in Taipei, 8-11 July 2027, to connect, learn, and lead change in health systems and communities. With more than 10 000 abstract submissions, the excitement is already building. ✨

➡️ Secure your place today: https://t.co/oAQj69L4A4
🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/2iqNUbrCdb

#ICNCongress #ICN2027

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

I do not use the word “substitution” lightly. WHO Afro health workforce report ‘26 says that growth in CHWs “is accompanied by a relative labour substitution effect particularly for #nurses and #midwives”

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

A new global study published in @TheLancetPH has raised concerns that Community Health Workers could increasingly be used as a lower-cost substitute for registered nurses.

Speaking to @NursingTimes about the findings, ICN CEO @HowardCatton stressed that Community Health Workers are "hugely valuable and important." However, he emphasized that they should complement registered nurses and other healthcare professionals, not replace them.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/JCDvIp4d8J

[ICN - International Council of Nurses @ICNurses]

Josephine Agyei, Chair of ICN's Student and Early Career Nurses Alliance, brought the voice of the next generation to the @UN High-Level Meeting on pandemic preparedness and response.

Her message to leaders was to make sure the nurses of today and the future are supported, protected and prepared long before the next crisis strikes, because there is no pandemic preparedness without nurses.

🔗  Read more: https://t.co/vYfwBpE6ZJ

#UNGA81 #SECN

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

United voice of global health professions @WHPAlliance as to why Governments must act now to support the workforce to be ready for the inevitable next pandemic. https://t.co/NaaPm8QDxA

[WHPA @WHPAlliance]

💪 Pandemic preparedness starts with the health workforce.

#HealthProfessionals cannot meet extraordinary demands in a crisis when they are already overstretched in routine care.

👉 Read the PR: https://t.co/dDVZuYmR6E

#UNGA #UNHLM #PPPR #InterprofessionalCollaboration

[Howard Catton @HowardCatton]

“Preparedness begins before the crisis and it begins with the health workforce”. Thank u to Dr Cill for delivering @ICNurses statement at the #UNGA #pandemic preparedness meeting #CoVID19