Nursing in Pakistan

Nursing in Pakistan
Nursing is a major component of Pakistan's health-care system. The topic has been the subject of extensive historical studies, is a major issue in the country, and has been the subject of much scholarly discussion amongst academics and practitioners. In 2009, Pakistan’s government stated its intent to improve the country's nursing care.
Nursing is a health-care profession which is mainly aimed on the care of families and individuals. Nursing is important in every part of the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. In 2021, Pakistan faces a great shortage of trained nurses.
Nursing education and organizations
Pakistani educational system included these nursing institutes:
School of Nursing, Christian Hospital, Quetta
Karachi King's (K.K) School & College of Nursing, Karachi
New Life School & College of Nursing, Karachi
New Life Institute of Nursing, Multan
People's Nursing School, LUMHS Jamshoro, Sindh
Jamshoro College of Nursing, Jamshoro
College of Nursing, PIMS, Islamabad at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad
College of Nursing, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi affiliated with Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh
Institute of Nursing at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi
Aga Khan University School of Nursing,
Institute of Nursing Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences School of Nursing.
Institute of Nursing Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi
The Ilmiya Institute of Nursing, Karachi affiliated with Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro
Karachi Adventist College of Nursing
Sachal Sarmast Institute of Nursing, Khairpur, Sindh
Mehran School of Nursing, Khairpur
Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad
Liaquat National College of Nursing, Karachi affiliated with Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro
Lahore School of Nursing, University of Lahore
College of Nursing, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore
Postgraduate College of Nursing, Lahore, Punjab
College of Nursing, Isra University, Karachi
College of Nursing, Ziauddin University, Karachi
Institute of Nursing Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
Life Saving institute of Nursing, Karachi
Rufaidah Nursing College, Peshawar (A project of Peshawar Medical College affiliated with Riphah International University, Islamabad
College of Nursing, Rehman Medical Institute
College of Nursing, Saida Waheed FMH
School of Nursing, Holy Family Hospital, Karachi
The Canadian International Development Agency funded several nursing education initiatives in the 1980s and 1990s.
Pakistan has established professional nursing organizations. The Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), established in 1948 and formally constituted by Acts in 1952 and 1973, certifies nurses, midwives, Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), Licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Auxiliaries for practice. The PNC has involvement in improving and standardizing public education and clinical nursing standards. They also oversee the ethical standards and general welfare of nurses. The PNC inspects and approves nursing schools. This Council also approves education programs and has the authority to examine, register and enrol nurses, midwives and nursing auxiliaries of nursing council. The Council provides licenses to the nursing agencies and monitors nursing employers.
History
Initially, the health-care services in Pakistan were ill-developed and the rate of employment in health-care jobs in Pakistan was very low. Since 1951 Pakistani governments have concentrated on the development and improvement of health care services and one of the major steps is increasing the rate of funding to Pakistan Nursing Council Clinics. This Nursing Council (PNC) has also played a key role to provide world-class health care and nursing council services to the patients and has been accredited by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
Nurse-Patient ratio in Pakistan
Pakistan had a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:32000 in 1960, improving to 1:5199 by 1997. In 2013, the situation had further improved when nurse-patient ratio in Pakistan was approximately 1:50.
Pakistani medical sector has historically been preoccupied with cure rather than care which resulted in Pakistan producing a massive number of doctors every year and ignoring the shortage in the nursing workforce.
In 2015, according to the Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, the nurse-patient ratio in Pakistan again was approximately 1:50.
In 2021, an interactive chart showing nurses and midwives (per 1,000 people) - Pakistan compared to all other countries in the world per The World Bank website.
Global-2020 100 outstanding nurses list
In 2020, 8 Pakistani nurses and midwives were included among the 'Global-2020 100 Outstanding Women Nurses and Midwives'. This list had 100 professionals from a total of 43 countries who were recognised by World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the International Council of Nursing for their services to help raise healthcare standards across the world. It is worth noting that all 8 above-mentioned nurses were from the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
See also
Midwife
2010 Pakistan floods
King Hamad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences, Islamabad
References
Further reading