September 20, 2022 – The BD Foundation, the philanthropic arm of global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), today announced a three-year commitment to invest in the development of National Nursing Associations (NNAs) to support health equity and advance nursing education across 21 countries in Africa.
The announcement was made at the Clinton Global Initiative 2022 and supports on-the-ground work of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to advance nursing capacity in these countries. The BD Foundation donation of $360,000 over three years will support the ICN’s Organizational Development of National Nursing Associations (ODENNA) program, which empowers NNAs in Africa to provide leader training, education, mentorship and organization development to improve nursing practices. This investment enables expanded economic opportunity, addresses health equity and achieves better health outcomes for vulnerable patient populations in low- and middle-income countries. This pledge also reflects the important role that nurses play in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The central focus of the Organizational Development of National Nursing Associations program is supporting our National Nursing Associations because they are the voice of nursing in their respective countries and beyond,” said Howard Catton, chief executive officer of the International Council of Nurses. “NNAs support, advocate for and represent nurses on the front lines of care, and also bring experience and leadership to the national level to guide and strengthen our health systems based on equality, fairness and respect. And that is why we are grateful to the BD Foundation today, for adding their substantial backing to this important initiative.”
Tony Ezell, president of the North America region for BD and chief marketing officer added, “This commitment from the BD Foundation and collaboration with ICN helps build the infrastructure needed to support nurses in Africa now and in the future. In order to build and retain a resilient nursing workforce, there is an urgent need for investment in training and education particularly in low- and middle-income countries where health care resources are scarce, and nurses are the backbone of health care delivery.”