Health dept urged to overcome shortage of teachers in nursing schools

LAHORE: The medical fraternity at King Edward Medical University (KEMU) has emphasised upon Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department (SHC&MED) to overcome the issue of shortage of teachers in nursing schools by taking help of faculty and consultants in their attached medical colleges and teaching hospitals.

This was a consensus proposal during a discussion among DG Nursing, KEMU Vice Chancellor and nursing students held here at KEMCAANA Learning Centre, Bahawalpur Block, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, on Friday.

DG Nursing Punjab Munazza Cheema, VC KEMU Prof Dr Mahmood Ayyaz, Principal Nursing College, Chairperson and Head of Department at Community Medicine KEMU Prof Dr Saira Afzal, KEMCAANA volunteer Prof Sania Shuja and teachers including Ammara Shah, Memoona Tayyab, Dr Salman Kazmi, Dr M Nasrullah, Dr Humaira Farooqi, Dr Kamran Kh, Rashid Javed and staff of Computer Lab KEMCAANA Centre were present.

They suggested that the contractual hiring of physicians as teachers and hiring of English and Computers teachers from the Higher Education Department (HED) in various districts on placement basis will enable nurses to be well versed with computers and English language.

The KEMU VC Prof Mahmood Ayaz apprised the audience that university was already providing access to nursing students to KEMU library and teaching staff of the university will augment nursing faculty and help in overcoming shortage of teachers at the nursing school.

DG Nursing Munazza Cheema stated that 25 new computers have been purchased for each Nursing College and Principal Nursing College is requested to set up a Computer lab next to the library if possible in the Nursing College immediately.

KEMCAANA representative Dr Maqbool Arshad announced that they were willing to provide technical support as needed. He hoped DG Nursing also has maintenance agreement and proper software in these computers KEMCAANA team also added that they were willing to provide advice on the type of software and programs needed to be uploaded on these computers.

Moreover a set of 40 books for each nursing college will be donated to their Library. Already a library of 3000 books exists at a nursing college on the top floor. KEMCAANA will place their English set of books easily accessible for nursing students in Nursing College Library.

The participants strongly advised nursing colleges to set up easily accessible gymnasium and encourage physical exercises, badminton, table tennis etc for students to ensure they are physically strong to do CPR and be able to shift patients as per need. The Friends of Mayo Hospital team led by President Ms Fatima Fazal also participated in the session.