‘Nursing sector vital for country’s healthcare future’

KARACHI: Experts addressing the 17th Lamp Lighting and Oath-Taking Ceremony at Kharadar General Hospital School of Nursing underscored the pivotal role of professional education in advancing Pakistan's healthcare system, stressing the need to nurture the nursing talent.
The event, which marked the induction of new nursing students, brought together prominent figures from the healthcare and industrial sectors who highlighted the urgent need to invest in education and healthcare to secure the nation’s future.
Prof Muhammad Saeed Qureshi, Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences and the event’s chief guest, emphasised the importance of nurturing professional nursing talent to address the country’s healthcare challenges. "Pakistan needs millions of nurses to achieve substantial improvements in its health system," he remarked.
Professor Qureshi lauded the school’s dedication to producing skilled nurses through quality education, research, and training. "A professional nurse not only saves lives but also inspires hope and the will to live," he added.
Industrialist and philanthropist Muhammad Bashir Jan Muhammad also addressed the gathering, urging the business community to prioritise humanitarian efforts in education and healthcare. "The nursing sector holds immense potential; by developing it, we can achieve our health goals and foster national progress," he said.
Special Secretary Health Dr Dabeer Ahmed Khan highlighted the central role of nurses in healthcare, describing them as the "heart of the health system" and the "nucleus of the health cell." Stressing the need for one million nurses in Pakistan, he called for aligning the nursing sector with international standards and fostering research to enhance its growth.
Kharadar General Hospital CEO Dr Khalid Iqbal shared the institution’s achievements, noting that over 1,100 nurses have graduated in the past 19 years, with 80pc being women. These graduates, he said, have contributed to quality healthcare locally and internationally, economically empowering themselves and their communities.
Sindh Nursing Director Najma Mangi praised the school for its efforts in elevating nursing education and research standards, saying that advancing the nursing profession is key to addressing Pakistan’s medical challenges.
MBJ School of Nursing Director Talat Parveen Shah concluded the ceremony by reflecting on two decades of progress in the nursing sector. She highlighted achievements in practical nursing, community-based research, and ethical practices, stressing the importance of these advancements for the country’s healthcare future.
The event concluded with the symbolic lighting of lamps, signifying hope and a commitment to cultivating skilled healthcare professionals who will shape Pakistan’s healthcare system for years.