Sindh faces prolonged nursing shortage, says health minister

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has said the province has been facing a shortage of nurses for a long

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has said the province has been facing a shortage of nurses for a long time, while many other countries are also struggling to meet the growing demand for nursing professionals.

Speaking at a press briefing on the overall health situation in Sindh, Pechuho said the provincial government was taking steps to increase the number of nurses and improve nursing education and training.

She said work on health policies and legislation was carried out last year, while several initiatives were continuing this year to strengthen different areas of the healthcare system.

According to the minister, discussions are also under way with the Asian Development Bank to support efforts aimed at increasing the nursing workforce.

Pechuho said a unified admission policy was being introduced for nursing colleges across Sindh. The policy is intended to improve the standard of nursing education and training and ensure greater consistency among institutions.

She said around 5,000 nurses currently complete their education and enter the profession every year. The government aims to increase the number of nursing graduates to around 46,000 in the coming years.

The health minister said many nurses come from financially disadvantaged families, which is one of the reasons a significant number seek employment opportunities abroad.

She said two nursing centres were also being established under a pilot project to expand training and educational opportunities for aspiring nurses.

Pechuho further announced that recruitment had been approved for staff at Jinnah Hospital and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

She also highlighted several developments in Sindh’s healthcare infrastructure. According to the minister, the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has been expanded to provide additional healthcare services.

A new block has also been established at NICVD, while vascular surgery services have started at the Trauma Centre.

The minister said the government was continuing efforts to improve healthcare facilities and expand specialised medical services across the province.

Pechuho also said that the rate of maternal deaths had increased in connection with surgical deliveries, highlighting the need for greater attention to maternal healthcare and safer childbirth practices.