Rufaida Hamdard College of Nursing Hosts Groundbreaking Seminar on Legal & Ethical Aspects in Nursing!

By: Shabir Hussain Jhatial

The Rufaida Hamdard College of Nursing an off shoot of Hamdard University (RHCN-HU) organized an ground breaking seminar on "Legal & Ethical Aspects in Nursing Practice". Eminent Legal & Nursing Academia gathered at RHCN-HU Gadap Campus Karachi to commemorate the incredible evolution of RHCN as one among the best institutes in Sindh on the eve of final year students's placement at clinical sites and the "Commencement Day" of 4th BS-Batch since its reestablishment as Degree Awarding Institution.

This well organized seminar in HU's majestic auditorium where Jinnah Sahib and Shaheed Hakeem Saeed's big profile pics were overlooking at the stage and the audience gave a Socratic feel. The fragrance of Hakim Said's wise presence remained all along the day: right from the beginning with Fateha on his resting tomb surrounded by lush greenery to the recitation of his famous Dua-e- Saeed at the end of Seminar in full packed auditorium with nursing students and academia.

A globally recognized Human Rights activist Advocate Zia Ahmed Awan, Ex Dean of AKUSONAM Professor Dr. Tazeen Ali, Advocate High Court and Academician Farah Khan, Associate Dean Hamdard Law College Anwar Ahmed and renowned nursing acadmician Shabir Hussain Jhatial attended the Seminar as guest speakers.

The presence of H. U Vice Chancellor Sayed Shabibul Hassan, Dean Medical Zia-ur-Rahman, Principal & Faculty RHCN Alia Nasir augmented the event to an event of next level.

The seminar began with the welcoming speech of Principal RHCN-HU Ms.Alia Nasir who set the tone of the seminar by quoting the Nightingale Oath enshrined with ethics and legal aspects as basic principles of practice.

Ex- Dean AKUSONM, Professor Tazeen Ali as Key Note Speaker encompassed the legal aspects of care and ethical dilemmas that nurses come across during their practice underlining the advent and utilization of AI advancements.

In her well calibrated presentation, Dr. Tazeen also cited her personal and administrative anecdotes related to the practicality of both aspects of practice under focus that impact safe quality patient care. She emphasized final year students set to be assigned at clinical sites that by abiding legal and ethical protocols, the nurses are in the best position to safeguard the rights, dignity and lives of the clients. She shed light on errors and how to minimize them that pose serious consequences both for the lives of clients and the safety of nurses as well.

Speaking as Chief Guest the globally recognized Human Rights Activist and founder of the Lawyers for Human Rights & Legal Aid (LHRLA) Advocate Zia Ahmed Awan said that his career began from working for protection of prisoners' rights while his own imprisonment against Marshal Law. That spread to his Legal Aid Help Line concept now spread to 88 countries.

Advocate Awan revealed that during his three decades career a couple of cases were reported by nurses that eventually landed in the Superior Courts' landmark verdicts. Advocate revealed that some two decades ago Ms. Alia Nasir approached him to provide legal help to divorced women of Bhaba Island women that turned the lives of wretched women folk living in the coastal lines of Sindh and Balochistan.

Advocae Farah Khan, the law academia and lawyer of High Court based her speech on the "Duty of Care" concept that governs all health professionals including the nurses. In her orderly and impressive speech she revealed that 2023 Medico Legal ACT includes now the nurses as part of it and the "Duty of Care" thus it is a must for every nurse to understand its implications with regard to their practice, rights and limitations. Advocate Farah encompassed the legal aspects license, health care settings, responsibilities and accountabilities of the nurses to practice nursing under the legal concept of "Duty of Care" and Medico Legal Act that now includes nurses as part of it.

Advocate Anwar Ahmed Dean Law College H.U suggested nurses academia to review the Cuban Model of Nursing and devise its application in Pakistan to provide effective and affordable services to patients and communities.

The question-Answer Session was mediated by Shabir Hussain Jhatial where audiences asked questions and explanations from the distinguished guests. After this interactive and lively session the VC Hamdard University Sayed Shabibul Hassan, Dean Zia-ur- Rahman and principal RHCN Ms Alia Nasir presented momento and buckeyes to the guests.

#NursingEthics #LegalNursing #NursingEducation #MedicoLegal #DutyOfCare #HumanRights #NursesRights #AIInNursing #HealthcareLaw #PatientSafety #NursingLeadership #EthicalNursing #HamdardUniversity #NursingPractice #LegalAwareness #ClinicalNursing #NursingSeminar #FutureOfNursing #NursingAdvocacy

Comments

Most Liked Blog Posts from PKN

BSN Students Spark AI Revolution in Nursing at Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad

The BSN 8th Semester students of Shifa College of Nursing, a constituent college of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU), organized an engaging and forward-thinking seminar titled “AI in Nursing: Revolutionizing Nursing with Artificial Intelligence” at the Park Road Campus, Chak Shahzad on 18th April 2025. This student-led initiative aimed to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in nursing education, practice, and patient care. The seminar featured Dr. Khalil Ahmed Jatt as the Guest Speaker, who shared valuable insights on the integration of AI in healthcare systems, with a focus on its implications for nurses working in resource-constrained settings. Ms. Somia Saghir served as the Course Coordinator, while Ms. Farhana Amir led the seminar as Team Lead (TL). The organizing team included enthusiastic BSN students: Anmol, Kainat, Mariam, Fariha, Faria, and M. Farhan, who demonstrated remarkable leadership and coordination skills...

New Nurses Uniform by Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (January 2024)

The Pakistan Nursing & Midwifery Council (PNMC) has introduced a new uniform dress code for nurses working in clinical settings across the country. The announcement, in an official letter from the PNMC dated January 31, 2024, stated guidance about professional attire of nursing staff in Pakistan. The new dress code approved during the 6th session of the council held from January 15-17, 2024, under the leadership of Ms. Farzana Zulfiger, President of PNMC, specifies new uniforms for male and female nurses. Female nurses are to wear a dark blue shalwar kameez with a nameplate, accompanied by a white coat and a blue scarf/dupatta. Male nurses are required to wear dark blue scrubs along with a nameplate. Category Uniform Female Nurses Dark blue shalwar kameez with nameplate, white coat or blue scarf/dupatta Male Nurses Dark blue scrubs with nameplate Health Departments across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber P...

Difference Between Post-RN BScN & Generic BSN (Updated 2023)

Are you confused about the terms BSN, BScN, Generic BSN, Post-RN, BS Nursing, and BSc Nursing? We receive many questions about these terms at PKN. This updated post will clarify these terms, especially in the context of recent changes in Pakistan. In short, the Generic BSN is a degree program for individuals who wish to join the nursing profession after 12 years of schooling, while the Post-RN BScN is a degree program for nurses who already have a three-year diploma in nursing. Generic BSN The Generic BSN is an ideal option for those who want to enter the nursing profession in Pakistan. Previously, another option to join the nursing profession was the 3-year diploma in general nursing. However, according to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan's policies, the diploma in nursing was phased out across Pakistan in 2018. The Generic BSN is a 4-year degree program followed by a one-year internship. An internship involves practical nursing practice in a hospital u...

What is the Nurse-Patient Ratio According to Pakistan Nursing Council?

Understanding the nurse-patient ratio according to the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) is crucial for ensuring proper healthcare standards in hospitals across the country. However, it is important to acknowledge that nurse-patient ratios in many hospitals in Pakistan are currently far lower than the recommended guidelines. In this blog post, we will provide a detailed analysis and breakdown of the official PNC notification on this subject. The official PNC notification on this subject is given below. Official Nurse-Patient Ratio According to Pakistan Nursing Council: The PNC issued a notification (No. PNC F-7-14-Admin/2021/ 3702) on 25th May 2021, outlining the minimum nurse-to-patient ratio for hospitals across Pakistan. The guidelines provided in this notification are as follows: General Hospital Units: In general hospital units, the nurse-to-patient ratio should be 1:3 beds, which means three nurses for every ten beds, with one reliever nurse for e...

UNICEF Empowers Midwives in Pakistan to Save Newborn Lives: Inside the EmONC Master Training

By: Shabir Hussain Jhatial The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, Pakistan Paediatric Association, and MAP, has launched a 4-Day Emergency Obstetric & Neonatal Care (EmONC) Masters Training Workshop in Islamabad. This initiative aims to address Pakistan’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, which are among the highest globally. Background Statistics:- Maternal Mortality Rate: 186/100,000, Neonatal Mortality Rate: 42/1000, Stillbirth Rate: 30 per 1,000 live births Workshop Objectives: -Equip top leadership of gynecologists and midwives with necessary skills and knowledge to address -Improve healthcare services and reduce mortality rates -Integrate new Emergency Neonatal Care (ENCC) materials developed with Laerdal Global Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics while the critical training was facilitated two Midwives teachers from Norway Ms. Patricia Titulier and Ms. Julia both Midwife Instructors. Trainer Midwives & Trainees Besid...

PNC Eligibility Criteria for Faculty Appointment in Nursing Colleges in Pakistan

The Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), ( now called the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council or PNMC ) is the regulatory body for nursing education and practice in Pakistan. PN&MC notified the eligibility criteria for the appointment of faculty members in nursing colleges. The PNMC's notification, which was issued in August 2015 (vide letter number F-11-PNC-admin/2015-723), outlines the minimum qualifications, experience, and publications required for nursing lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors. In this blog post, we will discuss the eligibility criteria in detail and answer some common questions about them. Q: What are the minimum qualifications required for a Nursing Lecturer position in a college of nursing according to PNMC? A: The minimum qualifications required for a Nursing Lecturer position in a college of nursing are: Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife with Post RN BSN degree (Two years of post-degree experience, prefe...

BSN Students Spark AI Revolution in Nursing at Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad

The BSN 8th Semester students of Shifa College of Nursing, a constituent of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University (STMU), organized a groundbreaking seminar titled “AI in Nursing: Revolutionizing Nursing with Artificial Intelligence.” The event was held at the Park Road Campus, Chak Shahzad, and marked a significant step toward student-led innovation in nursing education On Friday, 18th April 2025. The seminar brought together students, faculty, and healthcare professionals to explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in the nursing profession . It aimed to raise awareness about the future landscape of nursing and how technology—especially AI—can enhance critical thinking, patient safety, and decision-making in clinical settings. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Jatt, a noted nursing academic and advocate of AI in healthcare, was invited as the Guest Speaker. In his address, he shared valuable perspectives on the future of nursing, highlighting how AI can support nurses in...

Critical Drug Alert! Do not use Ceftriaxone and Calcium-Containing IV Products together

A recent alert issued by the Directorate of Drugs Control, Punjab, highlights serious concerns about using intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone with calcium-containing products, such as Ringer Lactate. This alert is based on reports of adverse drug reactions and underscores the risk of IV admixture incompatibility. Healthcare professionals are advised to take immediate action to ensure patient safety. Details of the Alert Issued By: Punjab Pharmacovigilance Center Key Concern Using IV ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products together can cause severe, potentially fatal complications due to precipitation in the bloodstream. This issue is particularly critical in neonates but extends to older infants and adults under specific conditions. Pharmacovigilance Center Findings The Pharmacovigilance Center in Punjab has reported numerous adverse reactions related to the combined use of IV ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products. Investigations revealed: ...

The Florence Nightingale Pledge

Courtesy: Sabir Mehno PIMS I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and shall not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I shall do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.

SOPs for Managing Nurses’ Monthly Duty Roster Manually

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Managing Nurses’ Duty Roster Version 3 (January 2019) Developed By: Khalil Ahmed Head Nurse, CCU, IH, PIMS, Islamabad Description: The purpose of developing these SOPs was to create uniformity and clarity in the policies regarding nurses’ duty roster. This document has brought the already practised rule into written form. The first version of the SOPs was introduced in Emergency and Accident Center, PIMS in 2014. Further improvements have been brought in the subsequent versions. Constructive feedback would be appreciated. A sample duty roster which incorporates some of these rules is attached. SOPs Rationales 1. Days off available in a month: 1.1. Weekly off: A nurse will be eligible to avail weekly days off equal to the number of Sundays in a month. Because every Sunday is an official day off, therefore, all nurses are eli...

Search This Blog