KARACHI: The Young Nurses Association (YNA) Sindh has expressed strong reservations over the proposed merger of Allied Health Professionals with the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC), saying this would adversely impact nursing profession.
YNA President Syed Shahid Iqbal and Secretary General Atta Hussain Rajpar say that such a merger would divert attention from the specific issues of nursing and midwifery professions that require specialised governance and oversight.
The PNMC was established to address the specific needs of the nursing and midwifery communities, particularly in areas of training, certification, and professional development. According to the YNA, bringing Allied Health Professionals under the same regulatory body would jeopardise the unique identity and representation of nurses and midwives.
President Shahid Iqbal stated, "This merger is not in the best interest of the nursing community. It will create administrative and operational challenges and could erode the standards we have worked hard to establish."
Mr Rajpar added, "We urge the government to reconsider this decision. Nursing professionals need a regulatory platform that truly understands and advocates for their specific needs. This merger could undermine the future of nursing in Pakistan."
The YNA Sindh has called for a comprehensive review of the proposal and invited stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue to protect the integrity of the nursing and midwifery professions.