Health system revolves around nursing: minister

LAHORE : Provincial Minister of Primary and Secondary Health Care Department Khawaja Imran Nazir said that nursing is the backbone of the health system. It will not be wrong to say that the hospital system is running on the efforts of the nurses. We want our nurses to shine the name of Pakistan all over the world.

He said that Punjab govt will try to take the quality of nursing sector of province to international level. Reforms will be brought for the improvement of the nursing sector.

He expressed these views while addressing 4th Principals Nursing and Allied Health Professional Institutes Conference organised by the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education at the University of Health Sciences on Saturday.

Secretary Health Punjab Ali Jan Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Health Sciences Prof Dr. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Special Secretaries Syed Wajid Ali Shah and Mansoor Ahmed, CEO Punjab Health Initiative Management Company Dr Ali Razaq, Additional Secretary Usman Khalid, Additional Secretary Mazhar Ahmed, Additional Secretary Dr. Hafiz Shahid Latif, DG Nursing and Principals of Nursing Colleges and other officers attended the conference.

Provincial health ministers during the conference also reviewed practical exercises of medical equipment provided to nursing colleges.

Provincial Minister of Primary and Secondary Health Care Department Khawaja Imran Nazir in his address said that he is performing his duties in the health department in the spirit of service to humanity.

He further said that improvement of the health system is first priority of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz. In the previous regime, money was taken for drug inspectors and MS. Whoever commits corruption in the PMLN government will not escape from strict accountability. Day care centres will be established in all government hospitals.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique while addressing the conference appreciated the efforts of Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan and his team for organizing a conference of principals of nursing and allied health professional institutes on a very important topic. There is a lot of room for improvement in this field.

He said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also directed for the improvement of nursing department. We will visit all nursing colleges and assess the condition.

In any public or private hospital, a nurse plays a major role in the treatment of patients. He further said that in today's session modern training of principals of nursing colleges has also been done. Establishment of day care centres in government hospitals is one of the top priorities, he added.

Secretary Health Punjab highlighted the steps taken for the improvement of the nursing sector in his presentation. He told the participants of the conference that we are trying to improve the nursing sector in Punjab.

There is an effort to make the curriculum of BSN nursing degree as per the international level. All resources will be used to encourage the nursing sector.