National Caregiver Day: tribute to and recognition of exceptional commitment

France, like other nations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, has seen a strong desire emerge to pay tribute to those who were on the front lines of this unprecedented health crisis: healthcare professionals. In parallel with this recognition of the exceptional dedication of health professionals, a need to commemorate the memory of the many victims of this disease has also been felt. It is in this context that the idea of a National Day of Tribute to Healthcare Workers and Victims of Covid-19 was born, a proposal supported by various political and associative initiatives since 2021. This article explores the genesis of this proposal, the deep motivations behind it, the different stages of its legislative journey, similar initiatives observed abroad and the prospects for official recognition in France.

Genesis of the proposal for a national day of tribute

The idea of a national day dedicated to the memory of victims of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) took shape in March 2021, under the impetus of Lionel Petitpas, president of the association Victimes du Covid-19. Faced with the human tragedy and the need to recognize the suffering endured by families, Mr. Petitpas repeatedly appealed to the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. The presidential cabinet responded favorably to this approach on March 4, 2021, indicating that reflections were underway at the Élysée concerning the establishment of such a day, with a date potentially set for March 17, the day marking the start of the first lockdown in France. This first step demonstrated an awareness at the highest level of the State of the importance of a moment of national reflection.

The appeal of the French Hospital Federation (FHF) for healthcare professionals

In parallel with the initiative of the association Victimes du Covid-19, on March 17, 2021, another significant step was taken. The French Hospital Federation (FHF), with the support of the Institut Covid-19 Ad Memoriam, publicly launched a vibrant appeal to establish a national day of tribute specifically dedicated to healthcare professionals. The date proposed by the FHF was not insignificant: March 17, the anniversary of the first lockdown, had a strong symbolic dimension. Frédéric Valletoux, then president of the FHF, presented this initiative to Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the objective of « valuing the commitment of our caregivers, which has not wavered for a year and is set to last ». Beyond recognition, Mr. Valletoux also perceived a political dimension to this commemorative day, wishing it to become an annual moment of debate on the state of the healthcare system, a question he anticipated as central during the presidential campaign. This call from the FHF highlighted the essential role and sacrifices made by healthcare professionals during the crisis.

Proposed laws to formalize the day of tribute

Following these initial initiatives, the legislative process got underway with the tabling of several bills aimed at formalizing this national day of tribute. On Tuesday May 4, 2021, during the XVth legislature, a first bill was tabled by Matthieu Orphelin, aiming to establish a national day of tribute to the victims. Although this proposal was not immediately successful, it marked a first concrete attempt to translate the desire for commemoration into a legislative framework.

The subject was taken up again during the 16th legislature. On April 4, 2023, Frédéric Valletoux, now an elected deputy, tabled a new bill. The year 2025 saw a renewed interest in this idea, with the tabling of two new proposals during the 17th legislature. The first, tabled by Delphine Batho on March 11, aimed to establish a "national day of tribute to the victims of Covid-19 and to share the memory of the pandemic to strengthen national resilience". A few days later, on March 14, Frédéric Valletoux tabled a new bill "establishing a national day of tribute to caregivers and victims of Covid-19". This latter proposal, registered with the Presidency of the National Assembly under number 1119, and presented by a large group of deputies, strongly emphasizes the need to jointly honor caregivers and victims. The explanatory memorandum to this proposal recalls the appeal by the FHF and the Institut covid‑19 Ad Memoriam since 2021, insisting that, five years after the start of the pandemic, France has still not paid national tribute to the missing.

Why a national day of tribute to caregivers and victims?

The motivations behind the proposal for a National Day of Remembrance are multiple and deeply rooted in the experiences and lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Recognition of the dedication of healthcare professionals: The health crisis has highlighted the unwavering commitment, resilience, and extraordinary adaptability of healthcare professionals. Faced with an unknown virus and successive epidemic waves, they have coped with extremely difficult working conditions, often at the risk of their own health. More than 97,000 healthcare workers have been affected by the disease, and 19 deaths related to SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded among them between March and mid-December 2020. Instituting a national day of tribute would be a way to officially recognize their role as the "health shield of the French".
• Honoring the memory of the victims: The pandemic has caused a heartbreaking human toll, with more than 170,000 deaths from COVID-19 in France. Many families were unable to support their loved ones at the end of their lives or organize dignified funeral ceremonies due to health restrictions. Many patients died alone, isolated in intensive care units. A day of tribute would provide respect, dignity, and recognition to the deceased and their loved ones, and to not forget this heavy toll.
• Importance of collective mourning: The proposed resolution highlights the psychological suffering of bereaved families and the importance of the mourning process in the moral reconstruction of the nation in the face of the loss of a loved one. A national tribute would provide a collective framework for mourning, allowing citizens to come together in memory and solidarity.
• Valuing commitment and resilience: Beyond the deaths, many people still suffer from the persistent effects of long COVID, with debilitating symptoms that impact their daily lives. The mobilization of all caregivers, their ability to adapt and innovate in the face of the emergency, deserve lasting recognition.
• Creating a moment of reflection on the healthcare system: As Frédéric Valletoux pointed out in 2021, this day could also become a privileged annual moment for a national debate on the state of the healthcare system and the challenges of health policy.

March 17: a symbolic date for France

The date of March 17th recurs frequently in various initiatives and proposed laws. This choice is not accidental: it is the anniversary of the start of the first lockdown in France in 2020. This date, significant for the entire population, symbolizes the shift into a period of uncertainty, restrictions, and collective mobilization in the face of the threat of the virus. Choosing March 17th as the National Day of Remembrance would thus link the memory of the health crisis to a key moment in its history, facilitating remembrance and reflection on past events. The draft resolution tabled by Frédéric Valletoux in 2025 also insists on the establishment of a national day of remembrance every March 17th, "in memory of the date of the first lockdown in 2020 in our country".

Similar initiatives abroad: a global commemorative movement

France is not the only country to have felt the need to institute a day dedicated to the memory of the victims and/or to the recognition of the efforts of caregivers during the pandemic. Several nations have already formalized such days, testifying to a global awareness of the lasting impact of Covid-19:

• Argentina: Declared March 20th as a National Day of Mourning for the victims of the pandemic.
• Chile: Commemorates March 21 as the National Day of Remembrance for people who died as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Italy: Observes March 18 as National Day for the Victims of Covid-19.
• Québec (Canada): Held a national day of commemoration in memory of the victims of Covid-19 on March 11.

These foreign examples highlight an international trend to recognize and commemorate the losses and sacrifices linked to the pandemic, reinforcing the idea of the relevance of such an initiative in France.

Towards formalization in France: challenges and prospects

Despite numerous bills and the support expressed by various organizations and political figures, the National Day of Tribute to Carers and Victims of Covid-19 has not yet been officially instituted in France. The motion for a resolution tabled in March 2025 calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to establish this day, set for March 17.

The official recognition of this day would represent an important step for the country's collective memory. It would create a moment of national convergence to honor those who lost their lives, support their bereaved families, and express the nation's gratitude to the healthcare professionals who committed themselves with courage and dedication. Such an event could also help strengthen social cohesion and learn lessons from this major health crisis for the future of the healthcare system. The challenges now lie in the political will to translate these proposals into a government decision and to define the concrete modalities of this day of tribute.

Conclusion: A necessary and awaited tribute

The proposal for a National Day of Tribute to Healthcare Workers and Victims of Covid-19 demonstrates a deep need for recognition and commemoration in the face of a health crisis that has left a lasting mark on France. Supported by associative and political initiatives, this idea has progressed through successive legislatures, highlighting the importance of a national moment dedicated to the memory of the deceased and to the valorization of the exceptional commitment of healthcare professionals. Like other countries that have already taken the step, the officialization of this day on March 17 could constitute a strong act of collective memory, solidarity and gratitude, essential for the reconstruction and resilience of the nation. The wait for a government decision remains keen, in the hope of finally seeing this necessary and awaited tribute materialize.

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