MPs seek details of nursing schools not operating under HEC criteria

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Tuesday sought details pertaining to nursing schools in the country which are operating without fulfilling the criteria set by Higher Education Commission (HEC).

A sub-committee of Senate standing committee on national health services regulations and coordination, which met here with Rubina Khalid in the chair, asked from Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council to furnish the details of all the nursing school which are operating without meeting the HEC criteria set for running a nursing school.

Senator Khalid emphasized that skill development should be the core of the curriculum to enhance the existing nursing system.

She pointed out the scarcity of nurses in comparison to doctors and recommended implementing distinct uniforms for nurses and doctors to differentiate between the two professions.

While scrutinizing institutional performance, Senator Khalid proposed that institutions should utilize BS Nursing graduates, given the absence of a uniform curriculum for MS Nursing in the country.

Dr Mirza Ali Mashud, the joint secretary for health ministry suggested conducting third-party evaluations to assess the existing conditions of nursing institutions.

Senator Khalid proposed that a policy be introduced for individuals with a BS Nursing degree to have a ten-year of experience for appointment as principals of nursing colleges.

She also recommended the development of an app to ensure smooth operations, monitoring, and quality control in nursing institutes.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023