Call to invest in nurses, midwives to build resilient healthcare system.

KARACHI -- Nurses and midwives are central to the safety and quality of healthcare across the world and investing in these health professionals means building a resilient health system that can be the first line of defence against any international crisis such as Covid-19, said speakers at a virtual seminar held to celebrate International Nurses Day and 2020 Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

During the discussion participated by a range of experts, it was pointed out that nurses and midwives made up the largest group of healthcare professionals and were often the first point of care for individuals and families.

Yet there was a global shortage of these health professionals and the World Health Organisation estimated that an additional nine million nurses and midwives would be needed by 2030 for universal health coverage.

Focussing on the central role nurses play in the healthcare system, they also emphasised the need for supporting and involving nurses at every level, including health policy, to improve health indicators in Pakistan.

'The dedication with which nurses and midwives continue to work during these challenging times is exemplary and, in their absence, healthcare facilities will not be able to function properly,' said Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

She also stressed the importance of higher education, affiliating nursing colleges and schools with medical universities to promote undergraduate degrees and encouraging practicing nurses to pursue master's and doctoral degrees while continuing to work.

'This would ensure the availability of highly skilled and competent professionals equipped to take on public health challenges and to shape the future of our healthcare system,' she said.

President of the Pakistan Nursing Council Afshan Nazli also praised the courage and services of front-line nurses and midwives during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

'This public health crisis has posed some important questions and challenges to our healthcare and education systems. We need to ask ourselves if our nurses are adequately trained and prepared for such...

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