Nursing in Pakistan

Nursing is a major component of Pakistan's health-care system. The topic has been the subject of extensive historical studies,^[1] is as of 2009^[update] a major issue in that country,^[2] and has been the subject of much scholarly discussion amongst academics and practitioners.^[3] In 2009, Pakistan’s government stated its intent to improve the country's nursing care.^[4]

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, but in developing countries like Pakistan, the subject of nursing care has provided special focus and attention on the health sector by nursing care. Nurses are also encouraged^{[by whom?]} to gain certification in a specialized area so as to give their nursing careers a proper dimension. In Pakistan, nurses are required^{[by whom?]} to wear distinguishing devices like pins and colored epaulets to identify them as licensed professionals.

Nursing education and organizations

Pakistani educational system included these famous nursing institutes:

1. the Ayub School of Nursing at Ayub Medical College
2. the Aga Khan University School of Nursing,^[5]
3. the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences School of Nursing.^[6][7]
4. Institute of Nursing Dow University Of Health Sciences, Karachi (Student's center)

The Canadian International Development Agency funded several nursing education initiatives in the 1980s and 1990s.^[5]

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.^[8] The PNC has involvement in improving and standardizing public education and clinical nursing standards.^[9] 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.

History

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 PNC Clinics. The Nursing council (PNC) has also played a key role to provide world-class health care and nursing council services to the patients.

Pakistan had a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:32000 in 1960, improving to 1:5199 by 1997.^[6]

Further reading

• Wilkinson, Alice (1958). A brief history of nursing in India and Pakistan. Delhi: Trained Nurses’ Association of India. pp. 115. 

See also

• Midwife
• 2010 Pakistan floods

References

1. ^ History of Nursing in Pakistan search at Google. Accessed December 10, 2009.
2. ^ "Nursing in Pakistan" search at Google. Accessed December 10, 2009.
3. ^ "Nursing in Pakistan" search at Google Scholar. Accessed December 10, 2009.
4. ^ "Press Information Department". Government of Pakistan. http://www.pid.gov.pk/press19-05-09.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Community Partnerships at the School of Nursing - Pakistan". McMaster University. http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/nursing/communities_pakistan.shtml. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Health Care Systems in Transition III. Pakistan, Part I.". Journal of Public Health Medicine. http://jpubhealth.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/22/1/38.pdf. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
7. ^ "School of Nursing". Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. http://www.pims.gov.pk/nursing_School.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
8. ^ "PAKISTAN NURSING COUNCIL". Government of Pakistan. http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions/health-division/media/FAQs_pnc.doc. Retrieved 2009-12-12. ^{[dead link]}
9. ^ Pakistan nursing council

External links