UHS shows concern over ‘substandard’ nursing schools

LAHORE:The Syndicate of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore has raised serious concerns over the increasing number of substandard nursing schools and urged the government to take immediate measures to address the issue.

The 86th meeting, held on Thursday, was chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore. The Syndicate noted that if the unchecked establishment of low-quality nursing schools in urban neighborhoods continues, the standard of nursing education would be irreparably damaged. Prof Rathore highlighted that private institutions have entered into superficial agreements with public hospitals, which compromises the quality of hands-on clinical training. In light of this, the Syndicate decided that new nursing colleges should not be approved unless they have their own dedicated teaching hospitals.

The meeting resolved to formally communicate these concerns to the Punjab government with a recommendation to escalate the issue to the federal government and the Pakistan Nursing Council. The Syndicate also called for necessary legislative measures to regulate nursing education.

Another key issue discussed was the unauthorised affiliation of certain nursing colleges with general universities, which violates the UHS Ordinance. Prof Rathore reaffirmed that such affiliations would not be permitted, as they undermine the university’s regulatory authority over nursing education.

During the meeting, the Syndicate approved the affiliation of the nursing colleges for launching new degree programmes, including Al-Aleem Institute of Nursing, Lahore, Rahbar College of Nursing, Lahore and Shaukat Khanum College of Nursing Lahore. These institutions were granted affiliation following inspections and recommendations from the UHS Affiliation Committee.

Additionally, evening shifts at private nursing colleges were approved in line with the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council's decision. As part of this expansion, Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing, Lahore, was granted 100 additional seats for evening classes. Other approved seat expansions included Al Aleem Institute of Nursing, Lahore, 110 seats, Arcturus College of Nursing, Narowal, 60 seats, Niazi College of Nursing, Sargodha, 140 seats, Sahara College of Nursing, Narowal, 70 seats, Shahida Islam Nursing College, Lodhran, 70 seats, and Sharif College of Nursing Lahore, 50 seats.

The Syndicate decided that admissions for the additional morning shift seats would be conducted immediately from the current waiting list on merit basis, while evening shift admissions would commence in the next academic session.

The meeting was attended by Syndicate members and senior officials, including Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Prof Arshad Cheema, Prof Nadia Naseem, Prof. Samina Kausar, Prof. Sidra Saleem, Prof Maryam Malik, Additional Secretary Finance Punjab Bilal Hisham, and UHS Registrar Kiran Fatima. Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, Prof. Sufia Farrukh, and Additional Secretary Specialized Healthcare Dr. Sidrah Saleem participated online.