More than one thousand new vacancies of nurses will be created: Kh Salman

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that solid steps are being taken for strengthening and development of nursing sector. He said that ratio of nurses and beds in public sector hospitals will be improved and more than one thousand new vacancies of nurses will be created.

He said this while presiding over a meeting to review the proposals prepared by the Chief Minister Health Roadmap Team for development of nursing sector at Civil Secretariat, here today.

Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik, Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervez, Acting DG Nursing Nusrat Saeeda, Additional Secretary Health (Tech) Dr. Salman Shahid, Deputy Secretary Admn Raja Mansoor, DS development Abdul Haq Bhatti, CM Roadmap Programme expert Ms. Manahil and other officers attended the meeting. Raja Mansoor informed that 1450 charge nurses have been inducted in Jan.2015 whereas more than 12 hundred nurses are coming through PPSC in a couple of weeks. The meeting reviewed in detail the presentation prepared by the CM Health Roadmap Program team regarding the development of nursing sector, creation of new posts of nurses according to the nurse and bed ratio strength in govt hospitals, improvement of qualification of nurses, professional training program and up-gradation of nursing schools to the level of nursing colleges.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that nurses play an extremely important role in healthcare delivery system and without their active participation patient care is impossible. He said that nursing schools will be upgraded as nursing colleges.

Kh. Salman Rafique further said that vacant posts of nurses would be filled besides creating 1000 posts of nurses to overcome the shortage of nurses in hospitals. He said that special measures are being taken to improve the qualification, curriculum and professional training of nurses. He said that a comprehensive plan is being prepared with the collaboration of Chief Minister Health Roadmap Team keeping in view all aspects of the healthcare requirement.

In this connection a presentation would be given to the Chief Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif and after his approval the package will be implemented.

Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik directed that a standardization plan be prepared and a report should be furnished regarding the total posts of nurses in hospitals and district-wise and future requirements.