President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi has announced 2019 as the year of Nursing.
Addressing the annual Summit of Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery in Islamabad today, he said capacity building of ‘Midwifery’ is among the priorities of the government to provide better health cover to the people.
He said a Nursing University is being established at ‘National Institute of Health’ to double the well trained Nursing staff within two years. He said the University would help impart training to twenty five thousand nursing staff annually.
The University is being established at a cost of ten billion rupees.
The President also launched ‘Nursing Now Pakistan’ which is part of Global ‘Nursing Now campaign’ aimed to prioritize the nursing sector and improve nurses` contribution in health sector through provision of an enabling environment.
Dr Arif Alvi said the federal Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is devising a mechanism under which all provincial health ministries will increase the number of nursing staff in hospitals across the country.
He said Nursing Diploma course will be replaced by Nursing Degree Programme.
He also announced that nursing students will be supported through government scholarships.
The President said improving the health sector would directly have a positive impact on national economy.
He said only a well-educated and healthy nation can help establish a new and prosperous Pakistan.
He expressed the commitment to improve society’s approach and understanding of the nursing profession so that more people join it.
Earlier in his address on the occasion, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination ‘Mr. Aamir Mahmood Kiani’ said nursing is the backbone of healthcare system and betterment of the system greatly relies on the dignity accorded to the nursing professionals.
He said nursing sector will remain the top priority of the Government in 2019.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General World Health Organization ‘Tedrose Adhamon’ said investment in nursing sector helps build a better healthcare system and maximize the potential of nursing professionals.
He said focus on nursing is part of global commitment to ensure that everyone has access to better health facilities.