Humanitarian Nursing: Voices from the Frontline with Elsa Afonso & Marcus Wootton

About this episode

This episode features a discussion on the vital role of nurses in humanitarian medicine, highlighting their experiences and insights from various challenging environments.

From conflict zones to refugee camps, from neonatal units to global health leadership—nurses are at the heart of humanitarian medicine. In this episode, host Eoin Walker is joined by Elsa Afonso and Marcus Wootton from the Royal College of Nursing’s International Academy . Together they bring decades of frontline and strategic experience with organisations including MSF, UNICEF, and academic institutions worldwide. We explore: What drives nurses into humanitarian work Lessons learned from conflict zones, HIV & AIDS programs, and neonatal care The power of education and capacity-building in fragile health systems Leadership, advocacy, and cultural adaptability in global health The future of nursing in humanitarian response A powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and the global role of nurses. Important links: RCN International Academy Phoenix Nursing Myanmar RCN Report: Care Amongst the Chaos – The Voices of Nurses Working in Conflict (PDF)

People in this episode

Host: Eoin Walker

Guests: Elsa Afonso, Marcus Wootton

Topics covered

• humanitarian nursing
• global health
• conflict zones
• refugee camps
• neonatal care
• education
• leadership
• advocacy

Keywords

• MSF
• UNICEF
• Royal College of Nursing
• capacity-building
• cultural adaptability

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Care Amongst the Chaos – The Voices of Nurses Working in Conflict

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