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Sindh's Bold Steps: Transforming Nursing and Midwifery Education with ADB Support

The Sindh's Minister for Health (MH) Dr.Azra Fazal Pechu chaired a meeting of executives of Planning & Development Board (PDB) and Health Department (HD) to chalk out specific actions in line with Asian Development Health Workforce  with major focus on Nursing,/ Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals (paramedics).


by Shabbir Hussain Jhatial 

The Nursing specific meeting was called in the back drop of Asian Development Bank's (ADB) willingness to assist revamping the nursing midwifery institutes, their infra structure and faculty development initiatives as part of Peoples Government policies  to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


The apex meeting was attended by the Chairman P&D Board, Special Secretary(H), D.S (H) & the Nursing Leaders: Director Nursing Ms. Najma Mangi, Prof. Alia Nasir (Hamdard Uni), Prof.Rubina Qasim (DIONAM-DUHS), Ms. Shabana Wazir(CON-NICH), Shabir Jhatial (CON-Korangi), Mr. Aamir Rajpar (ADN) PS to MH Mr. Saleem Channa.

Special Assistant to Minister of Health Dr. Dabeer Ahmed Khan (Dir-Dev.) gave a presentation on Asian Development Health Work Force and facilitated the agenda discussion. After an hour long deliberations among the officials and nursing leaders the following major decisions were recommended by the Minister Health:


 Centres of Nursing  Excellence
 In every Divisional Headquarters Nursing College, the state-of-art facilities will be established including building with advanced learning facilities and dormitories.

 Certified Nursing Assistants 

These colleges will also train Certfied Nursing Assistant (CNA) to be authenticated by HD Govt. of Sindh. The 1-Year CNA Model at CON-NICH will be adopted/rectified.

 Faculty Development  All MSN faculty will undergo mandatory teaching training in the best Nursing Institute for that government will bear the expenses.

 Integrating Private Sectors  The government will identify the best institutes and would grant scholarships to additional students to complete their education.

 Higher Education Facilities

The BS N graduates working in Health Department will be provided scholarships and deputation as they qualify for MSN admissions in specified institutions.

 Specialized MS Nursing 

The Government will help develop MSN Curricula in special fields e.g Paediatrics, Trauma, Cardio and Disaster Management. The Curricula for MS in Paediatric Nursing was presented to MoH as assigned to the designated Committee on Nursing.

 Establishment of Sindh Nursing & Allied Council/Board 
The MoH showed utter dismay over the Nursing Council's dismal state of affairs. It was agreed that Sindh Nursing & Allied Health Board ACT will be passed in Sindh Assembly to remove barriers posed by the PNMC. She said that "in view of the performance failure of the Nursing Council, it is inevitable to pass an ACT that could remove the bottle neck in progress of nursing and allied health sciences".

 Conclusion 

The committee was asked to work with the Law Department in finalizing the draft of the desired ACT so that it could sail smoothly in the best public and professional interests. The meeting was adjourned with directions to complete the paper work before the follow up meeting could be made.

 Policies By Nurses & For the  Nurses. 

The nursing/ midwifery leaders are allowed and encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences in devising policies in the highest decision making fora. The Minister Health & Health Department Government of Sindh owes us great admirations for chairs at highest policy making fora in the province.



#SindhHealthcare #NursingExcellence #MidwiferyReform #ADBSupport #SustainableDevelopment #HealthcareEducation #NursingLeadership

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