Introduction

In many countries, healthcare systems are fragile, with limited workforce, financing and resources, yet in many of these countries critical care services have developed over time. With limited additional professional support, nurses are often the backbone of these services. They provide expert care not only to critically ill patients and to their families within their critical care units but are often called upon to support nurses and doctors on wards and emergency departments. There is increasing recognition that surgery and critical care has been the ‘neglected stepchild of global health’ and with changing epidemiological trends, the burden of non-communicable diseases and injuries, there is a need for critical care. This provides critical care nurses with opportunities and a responsibility to share knowledge with peers in other countries and to be recognised for this contribution to improving the health of communities.