Ijaz Kakakhel
Taking strong notice of untrained/unprofessional nurses in government hospitals, lawmakers of a legislative body of upper house of parliament on Friday seeks details of registered and unregistered nursing colleges in the country.
The issue was taken up during a meeting of the subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, which was held under the convener-ship of Senator Rubina Khalid here at the Parliament House. On the decision of the committee to provide province-wise list of registered and unregistered nursing colleges operating in Pakistan along with details of their hospitals affiliation, the committee was told that Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council, Islamabad (PN&MC) has no solid information regarding unregistered nursing colleges. However as and when any information in this regard is received same is being provided time to time to the law enforcement agencies. The committee recommended to further stricken the licensing criteria and make double checks on the same. The committee again sought report on province –wise list of colleges to be submitted by next week.
The meeting discussed the compliance report on the decision taken in the previous subcommittee meeting held on 13-02-2023. Senator Prof Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani and Senator Shafiq Tareen along with senior officials of the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination, Chairman PNC and officials of other attached departments were also in attendance.
At the outset of the meeting Senator Rubina Khalid lamented the deteriorating situation of the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar with untrained nurses. “I found untrained staff even in the ICU, anybody can come and stand there as a nurse” she said showing serious reservations and said where are we heading too. It is so painful to see your loved ones lives at stake in hands of unlearned nursing staff.
Senator Rubina Khalid lamented the condition of the hospitals the ICUs and emergency. She said that even the ICU patients are treated unprofessionally. She said that such conditions of the public sector hospital were completely unacceptable and should addressed effectively.
On the committee directions to share composition of 11 members governing body along with criteria and method of appointment/ nominations it was apprised that the governing body comprising of 11 members is yet to be constituted. Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) act, 2023 has been recently promulgated and interim committee PN&MC has been constituted. It was also briefed that the inspection team of PN&MC is conducting surprise visits of the nursing colleges as per SOP/ criteria available on the PNC website. The committee emphasized that the inspection mechanism should be improved and nurses should be inspected on spot during practice. The committee also emphasized on the revamping of the curriculum for nursing profession and make it uniform. It was also recommended to include in the curriculum general ethics and discipline. The matter as deferred for further report and deliberation in the next week.
