The government on Wednesday constituted a national task force to chalk out a five-year national 'Nursing Sector Plan', besides giving approval for 2355 new posts for nurses.
Some major decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Minister of State for Health, Shahnaz Sheikh. Minster for Health Nasir Khan also joined the meeting.
The meeting was held to take stock of different issues impeding the growth of nursing profession and to thrash out a strategy for their redressal.
Nursing Advisor Shaheen Masud made a detailed presentation highlighting the issues, the achievements made during the past one year and recommendations for the future. It was decided to create a national task force, under chairpersonship of Nursing Advisor, to improve quality of nursing sector.
The meeting approved creation of 2355 posts of nurses in next three years. In the first phase, 767 posts would be created in the current financial year.
The meeting pledged to take immediate steps for starting double shifts in nursing training institutions to meet the increasing national demand and opportunities abroad.
Secretary Health Anwer Mehmood told the meeting that budget for college and school of nursing at federal level should immediately be separated from hospital management, and administrative powers be given to the Principal of nursing institution. Provincial governments, he proposed, would also be approached to act on similar lines.
Shahnaz Sheikh announced that in view of the urgent need for up-scaling the libraries of the schools and colleges of nursing, she would make personal donation of Rs 2 million for establishing a central library containing latest literature on nursing.
The library would be linked with all nursing training institutions and examination boards.
Appreciating the spirit and dedication of nursing professionals, the health minister directed that the task force should complete the assignment within eight weeks.
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