Sindh health minister for new nursing council, research institute

KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister and Pro-Chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, has called for the creation of a Sindh Nursing Council and a Sindh Health Research Institute to enhance healthcare services and research in the province.
Speaking at the 6th Senate meeting of JSMU, Dr Pechuho stressed the need for advancing health and allied health sciences, stating, “The establishment of the Sindh Health Research Institute is vital.” 
She explained that the institute would gather data from Karachi's tertiary hospitals to inform health policies. Dr Pechuho also announced plans for an Institute of Allied Health Sciences.
JSMU Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon supported this vision, unveiling the university’s plans to launch a Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and appoint a Dean to oversee it. He also introduced new PhD programmes in Dental, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, and Public Health to advance research initiatives.
During the meeting, the Senate approved JSMU’s revised budgets for 2022-2025 and ratified audited accounts for 2020-2021. Resolutions from the JSMU Syndicate and minutes from the previous Senate meeting were also endorsed.
Prof Memon addressed concerns regarding faculty appointments, clarifying that JSMU is responsible for hiring faculty for Sindh Medical College (SMC) and its affiliated hospitals but not for Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), which operates independently. 
He also called for increasing nursing student intake and supported the call for establishing a Sindh Nursing Council.
Furthermore, the Senate appointed Dr Jabbar Khattak and Prof Mohsina Noor Ibrahim to the Finance and Planning Committee, and granted voting rights to JSMU’s 3-5 year contractual employees in the Syndicate and Senate. A new audit firm from the State Bank of Pakistan’s approved list will be appointed.
In closing remarks, Prof Memon praised Dr Pechuho’s dedication to advancing JSMU’s mission in healthcare education and research across Sindh.