Nursing is a major component of Pakistan's health-care system. The topic has been the subject of extensive historical studies, is as of 2009[update] a major issue in the country, and has been the subject of much scholarly discussion amongst academics and practitioners.[1] In 2009, Pakistan’s government stated its intent to improve the country's nursing care.
Nursing is a health-care profession which is mainly aimed on the care of families and individuals. Nursing is important in every part of the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. In 2021, Pakistan faces a great shortage of trained nurses.[2]
Pakistani educational system included these nursing institutes:[3]
The Canadian International Development Agency funded several nursing education initiatives in the 1980s and 1990s.[4]
Pakistan has established professional nursing organizations. The Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), established in 1948 and formally constituted by Acts in 1952 and 1973, certifies nurses, midwives, Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), Licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Auxiliaries for practice. The PNC has involvement in improving and standardizing public education and clinical nursing standards. They also oversee the ethical standards and general welfare of nurses. The PNC inspects and approves nursing schools. This Council also approves education programs and has the authority to examine, register and enrol nurses, midwives and nursing auxiliaries of nursing council. The Council provides licenses to the nursing agencies and monitors nursing employers.
Initially, the health-care services in Pakistan were ill-developed and the rate of employment in health-care jobs in Pakistan was very low. Since 1951 Pakistani governments have concentrated on the development and improvement of health care services and one of the major steps is increasing the rate of funding to Pakistan Nursing Council Clinics. This Nursing Council (PNC) has also played a key role to provide world-class health care and nursing council services to the patients and has been accredited by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.[7]
Pakistan had a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:32000 in 1960, improving to 1:5199 by 1997. In 2013, the situation had further improved when nurse-patient ratio in Pakistan was approximately 1:50.[5]
Pakistani medical sector has historically been preoccupied with cure rather than care which resulted in Pakistan producing a massive number of doctors every year and ignoring the shortage in the nursing workforce.[8]
In 2015, according to the Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, the nurse-patient ratio in Pakistan again was approximately 1:50.[8]
In 2021, an interactive chart showing nurses and midwives (per 1,000 people) - Pakistan compared to all other countries in the world per The World Bank website.[9]
In 2020, 8 Pakistani nurses and midwives were included among the 'Global-2020 100 Outstanding Women Nurses and Midwives'. This list had 100 professionals from a total of 43 countries who were recognised by World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the International Council of Nursing for their services to help raise healthcare standards across the world. It is worth noting that all 8 above-mentioned nurses were from the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.[10][2]
