Pakistan needs ‘a million more nurses’

Experts suggest making more investments in the nursing field to improve overall healthcare

Even though nurses play a key role in any country’s health care field, Pakistan has only 75,000 nurses to service a population of 200 million people, leaving a shortfall of around a million nurses as per world health organisation estimates.

This was disclosed by renowned global health care experts during a seminar on the health care situation in the country and the status of nurses organised by Prime Institute of Health Sciences (PIHS) on Thursday.

Nursing Now campaign Executive Director Dr Katherine Hannaway highlighted the vital role of nurses in supporting the health sector and its importance.

“We must capitalise on one of our best assets, the largest group of health care professionals, by equipping nurses to provide high-quality patient-centred care and play an integral role in leading change in the health sector,” she said.

Pakistan needs 1.3m more nurses: official

Even as globalization and technological advances create new opportunities, disease and socio-demographic changes, in addition to natural and manmade disasters, are placing increased pressure on already strained health care systems, Dr Hannaway said, adding that chief among these is the additional burden placed on health care personnel as a result of dealing with the consequences of war, emergencies and an increasing number of refugees and displaced populations.

“Nurses and midwives are unsung heroes in responding to the health needs of communities affected by emergencies in our Region.

Empowering nurses and enhancing their capacities will save lives and improve health and well-being at all times,” she said.

Apart from hiring more nursing staff in general, Dr Hannaway called for employing more nurses in leadership and policy development roles, particularly in delivering universal health coverage.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2019.