In a significant move, the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has taken a historic step towards bolstering the nursing workforce. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated a program today aimed at doubling the enrollment of nursing students at the College of Nursing, Jinnah Hospital. The commencement of an evening shift for a four-year nursing course will accommodate an additional 2900 students.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the urgency of this decision. He noted that a year’s delay in nursing student admissions had transpired, prompting the crucial decision to augment their numbers, given the surging demand for nursing professionals both domestically and internationally. He mentioned that the previous policy restricted the mobility of nurses, but now a program has been initiated to train an additional 2900 nurses, with a commitment to issue NOCs for overseas placements within three days. Thus far, our government has sanctioned the departure of nearly 800 nurses.
The Chief Minister assured that the government would provide comprehensive support to nurses securing positions abroad. The entire NOC process, including leave approval, will be streamlined within a three-day timeframe. He emphasized the prestige and honor that nurses bring to the nation when they work abroad. Furthermore, plans are underway to establish a Nursing School alongside the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh. Another nursing school will be established at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute.
Expressing concern over the deplorable state of nurses’ hostels, Mohsin Naqvi pledged improvements in the next two to four months. The construction and refurbishment of these hostels will commence shortly. Intensive efforts are being exerted to facilitate the admission of 10,000 nurses, surpassing the initial target of 5,000. Recently, inquiries were made with the Department of External Affairs, confirming nursing as a top-demand field.
