We turn our attention to the world of nursing through the compelling lens of Stefanie Fernandes and Francisco Ferraz. Francisco, a passionate third-year nursing student from Portugal, brings us into the heart of his journey—navigating the intricate balance of emotional connections and the systemic challenges within healthcare. From his night shifts in the pediatric intensive care unit to the poignant stories that shape his vocation, Francisco's experiences offer a raw and insightful look at the realities of nursing.

This episode not only highlights the indispensable role of nurses but also underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to better support these healthcare heroes.

Join us as we dive into the essence of what it means to care, to endure, and to strive for change in a profession that is both profoundly rewarding and undeniably demanding.

Find out more about nursing: https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/nursing

What are we doing to prepare for the next pandemic?

We go behind the scenes at WHO and some of the European region’s major public health institutions to understand what the most likely causes of future pandemics could be and what strategies are in place to avert them. We talk to the experts applying the lessons of previous pandemics and focus in on the systems in place to spot threats and reduce their impact. We speak to the legion of public health experts getting on with the not very glamorous, but incredibly important work of emergency preparedness— experts in surveillance, genomic sequencing, epidemiology and more. The people who are containing outbreaks and laying the groundwork to mitigate the effects of pandemics, not if, but when they occur.

With Dr Maria van Kerkhove on Disease X, Dr Gail Carson on pandemic preparedness and Roland Driece on the Pandemic Accord.

Find out more about the Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response accord: Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response accord (who.int)

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the WHO's Expanded Programme on Immunization, now known as the Essential Programme on Immunization, or EPI. This initiative has been a driving force behind the quest for fair access to life-saving vaccines for every child, irrespective of their geographical or socioeconomic circumstances.

Over the past half-century, EPI has played a crucial role in shaping our battle against preventable diseases. But this is not a self-congratulatory episode, celebrating EPI’s triumphs. We will also examine the persistent challenges of inequitable vaccine access, growing skepticism towards immunization, and the future of global health collaboration. We are going to dissect successes, confront the hurdles, and question what's next for this vital global health programme.

Find out more: 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) (who.int)