An important development is unfolding that could significantly impact our nursing and midwifery professions in Pakistan. The federal government has proposed merging the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC) with the Allied Health Professional Council (AHPC) as part of a rightsizing initiative. This proposal has raised serious concerns among nursing and midwifery professionals nationwide.
What Is the Issue?
The PNMC is
the statutory regulatory body overseeing nursing and midwifery education,
practice, and licensure in Pakistan. It operates independently, funded through
self-generated revenues, and does not burden the government's budget. The AHPC
regulates allied health professionals, a group with distinct roles and
regulatory needs.
The
government's proposal aims to merge these two councils to streamline operations
and reduce perceived redundancies. However, this move has been met with strong
opposition from nursing and midwifery leaders, associations, and practitioners
across the country.
Why Are Nurses Concerned?
- Loss of Professional Identity
and Autonomy:
- Distinct Roles: Nursing and midwifery are
specialized professions requiring dedicated oversight to maintain
education standards, ethical practices, and patient safety.
- International Recognition: The PNMC is recognized by the
International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the International Confederation
of Midwives (ICM). A merger could jeopardize this recognition, affecting
global standing and opportunities.
- Impact on International
Employment and Remittances:
- Licensure Issues Abroad: A diluted regulatory body may
hinder nurses' ability to obtain licenses in other countries, affecting
employment opportunities.
- Economic Consequences: Many Pakistani nurses work
abroad and send remittances back home. Barriers to international
employment could negatively impact the national economy.
- Compromise on Patient Safety and
Care Quality:
- Regulatory Focus: A merged council may lack the
specialized expertise to enforce nursing standards effectively.
- Risk of Unqualified Practice: Without dedicated regulation,
there's a risk of unqualified i ndividuals
entering the profession, compromising patient care.
- Violation of Global Norms and
Human Rights:
- Global Standards: Most countries maintain
separate regulatory bodies for nursing and allied health professions due to their unique
scopes of practice.
- Gender Empowerment: The PNMC, being a women-led
organization, plays a vital role in promoting women's empowerment in
Pakistan.
What Has Happened So Far?
- Formation of the Grand Alliance
Against Merger (GAAM):
Prominent nursing leaders, including Dr. Rafat Jan (Associate Dean of
Nursing at AKU and President of the Midwifery Association of Pakistan),
Dr. Raisa Gul (Dean of Nursing at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University and
recipient of the Pride of Performance award), and Ms. Lubna Ghazal (a
Ph.D. scholar in Nursing), have formed an alliance to oppose the merger.
- Endorsement by Leading
Academicians and Associations:
The alliance is supported by:
- Academicians:
- Professor Salimah Walani (Dean
of Nursing at AKU)
- Professor Rozina Karamaliani
(Ex-Dean of AKU and Global Icon of Nurses)
- Professor Parveen Rahman
(Sheffield University and President of the Pak-British Nurses Diaspora
in London)
- Associations and Federations:
- Pakistan Nurses Federation
(PNF)
- Pakistan Young Nurses
Association
- Provincial Nurses Associations
of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Azad Jammu and
Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
- Letters to Government Officials: The alliance has sent letters
to the President, Prime Minister, Rightsizing Committee, Minister, and
Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and
Coordination (MoNHSRC), outlining the detrimental repercussions of the
merger.
- Upcoming Meeting Scheduled: A crucial meeting has been
scheduled by the MoNHSRC for 23rd October 2024 to discuss the
merger. Representatives from PNMC, AHPC, and other concerned bodies will
attend. This meeting is pivotal in determining the future course of
action.
Details of the Upcoming Meeting:
- Subject: 3rd (Final) Meeting of
Implementation Plan on Rightsizing of MoNHSRC
- Date and Time:
|
S.No. |
Name of Institutions |
Time |
Date |
|
1. |
NCT with NCH |
10:00 AM |
23rd October, 2024 |
|
2. |
PNMC with AHPC |
10:30 AM |
23rd October, 2024 |
|
3. |
IHRA with HOTA |
11:00 AM |
23rd October, 2024 |
- Purpose: To draft a bill for the merger
as directed by the Cabinet Division.
What May Happen Next?
- Government Response:
- The outcome of the meeting on
23rd October will significantly influence the next steps. The nursing
community is hopeful for a reconsideration of the merger after
understanding its implications.
- Continued Advocacy:
- Stakeholder Engagement: Nursing leaders plan to
continue dialogues with policymakers to present their case.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness among the public about the
importance of maintaining a separate nursing regulatory body.
- Potential Protests:
- If concerns are not addressed there may be peaceful protests and
demonstrations to highlight the issue.
- Legal Actions:
- Legal avenues may be pursued to challenge the merger,
ensuring that the rights of nursing and midwifery professionals are
protected.
- International Support:
- Appeals have been made to
international organizations like the WHO, UNFPA, ILO, ICN, and ICM for
support and intervention.
What Can Nurses Do Now?
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of updates from
credible sources such as professional nursing associations and official
communications.
- Unite Professionally: Support your local and national
nursing associations in their efforts to advocate for the profession.
- Participate in the Upcoming
Meeting: If
possible, ensure that your voices are heard through your representatives
at the meeting on 23rd October.
- Engage in Dialogue: Participate in discussions and
forums to voice concerns and suggestions constructively.
- Advocate for Patient Safety: Emphasize the importance of
specialized nursing regulation in ensuring high-quality patient care.
Associations
Involved:
It's crucial
to acknowledge all associations united against the merger:
- Associations and Federations:
- Pakistan Nurses Federation
(PNF)
- Pakistan Young Nurses
Association
- Provincial Nurses Associations:
- Punjab
- Sindh
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
- Balochistan
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
- Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
- Midwifery Association of
Pakistan (MAP)
- Pakistan Nursing Council
Members
- Pakistan Nurses Association
- Young Nurses Association (YNA)
Sindh
- Provincial Nurses Association
Karachi Division
The proposed
merger of the PNMC with the AHPC presents significant challenges to the nursing
and midwifery professions in Pakistan. It is crucial for nurses and midwives to
stand united, remain informed, and engage proactively with stakeholders to
safeguard the integrity and autonomy of our professions.
Our collective efforts can influence positive outcomes that will benefit not only our professions but also the healthcare system and the patients we serve.
Stay
Tuned for Updates
We will
continue to monitor the situation, especially the developments from the
upcoming meeting on 23rd October 2024, and provide updates as they become
available. Your involvement and support are essential during this critical
time.
Together,
we can make a difference.
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