On May 5 and May 12, the world marks the International Days of the Midwives and Nurses, respectively. The health of any nation depends on resilient health systems supported by a competent healthcare workforce. Nurses and midwives are the cornerstone of health systems as no country can truly achieve universal health coverage or meet its sustainable development goals without them. Many countries have made significant strides in strengthening their nursing and midwifery workforce, because the evidence is clear: investment in these professions leads to measurable gains in the overall health of the populations. The International Council of Nurses highlights that investment in nursing yields a tenfold economic return through improved productivity and reduced long-term health costs. However, there is still a global shortage of nurses and midwives and the situation in Pakistan is particularly concerning. With only about five nurses per 10,000 people, Pakistan has one of the lowest ratios in the world.
The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery is Pakistan’s first university-based nursing programme. We introduced the country’s first Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes in nursing and our graduates are leading health systems nationally and globally. We remain committed to continuously improving the quality of nursing education and increasing the autonomy of nurses and midwives to practice their professions independently. There is frequent discussion about the role of nurses and midwives in lifting Pakistan’s health and economy. It is time to move beyond rhetoric: expand education capacity, strengthen practice environments, create meaningful career pathways and ensure that nurses and midwives are included in decision-making. A strong nursing and midwifery workforce means a stronger Pakistan!
Salimah R Walani
Dean, Aga Khan University – School of Nursing & Midwifery
Karachi
