PNMC Reforms: Sindh Nursing Leaders Unite for Change

by Shabbir Hussain Jhatial 

n continuation of the MoNHR&C Consultative Meeting on the Policy Framework for Reforms in PN&MC held on the 8th-9th of this month, the Director of Nursing Sindh invited Public and Private Sector Stakeholders to prepare a document before the meeting scheduled on 23/10/24 with MoNHSRC officers set to visit Sindh.  

It is important to underline that these recommendations are strictly for the Exclusive PNMC ACT and are not intended for any merger.  

1. Governance in PNMC: 

• (i) The President & Vice President must be elected by PNMC Members as originally outlined in the 1973 Constitution, not nominated as per the current amended PNMC ACT, which is considered faulty.  
• (ii) The number of members should be at least 20, not 11 as per the current ACT. This should include 4 Midwives/LHVs and 4 Academicians, who must be elected by their respective constituencies.
• (ii-b) The 4+1+1 members from provinces (ICT & GB) are already elected by the service side. They will continue to be elected by service-side nurse practitioners as their exclusive electoral college.  
• (iii) The Secretary of PNMC must be a nurse not below Grade-19 as an interim arrangement. Subsequently, this post should be a three-year tenure position rotating among the provinces.
• (iv) All vacant positions should be advertised immediately.  
• (v) The President of PNMC must call a session as requested by a majority of members multiple times. Since a Council Session has not been convened for over six months, all actions taken on behalf of the Council may be deemed unlawful.
• (vi) Acting Secretary Mr. Asif Iqbal has been under constant allegations of tampering and manipulating the IMS system. He must be replaced with a Nursing Officer not below BS-19 from ICT/Provinces until investigations against him reach a logical conclusion.
• (vii) Allegations of corruption, including the facilitation of unregulated growth and other major scandals, must be expedited.
• (viii) The Council should be convened, and a high-level academic team should be tasked with assisting investigation agencies and MoNHSRC in determining responsibility.  

2. SWOT Analysis of PNMC

• Strengths: PNMC has its own ACT since 1973, regulating the profession.
• Weaknesses: The Secretariat has been observed as inefficient, compromised, and involved in manipulation, particularly over the last eight years, due to the absence of rules for appointments, promotions, etc.

3. Opportunities

• From the MoNHSRC to the Prime Minister's Office to INGOs, all parties are sensitized to bring fundamental and functional changes to the PNMC. In addition, the Nurse and Midwifery Community—from top leadership to grassroots practitioners—are unified in their desire for substantial reforms in PNMC and NEBs.

4. Nursing & Midwifery Labor Market

• This topic was deferred until the Saturday meeting at the Directorate.

5. Quality Standards and Monitoring

• Some modifications were suggested to revise PNMC-approved regulations named "Inspection, Monitoring & Accreditation." The proposed changes concern operational and selection criteria. 

Tailpiece

• The session, presided over by Director Ms. Najma Mangi, was attended by Controller NEB Ms. Iram Shad, Ms. Fakhrunisa (Deputy DN), Mr. Aamir (AD), Shabir Hussain, Ms. Khairunissa, Mr. Irshad, Mr. Aijaz (PNMC), Mr. Atta (YNA Sindh), Ms. Afshan (PNF-ZUFONAM), Dr. Sumaira Panjwani (PNA-ZUFONAM), Mr. Riaz Qureshi, and others.

Way Forward

• We look forward to further developments in the 23/10/24 meeting in Sindh by MoNHR&C.