Pakistan’s hospitals hit hard by lack of 900k nurses

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan is facing a shortage of nearly 900000 nurses as he announced the complete digitalisation of the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC).

Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal announced that the operations of the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) will soon be fully digitized to reduce inefficiencies and limit human involvement. The decision was shared during a meeting on PNC affairs, attended by senior officials from the health ministry. The minister emphasized that digitalization would improve transparency, merit, and efficiency within the council. He said the government aims to restore the credibility of the nursing profession and transform the PNC into a modern, effective, and internationally recognized body.

Highlighting the importance of nursing in Pakistan’s healthcare system, the minister noted the severe shortage of professionals. Pakistan is currently facing a deficit of nearly 900,000 nurses, while the global shortfall stands at around 2.5 million. He stressed that this shortage is a serious challenge for healthcare delivery, making reforms and modernization essential. The government, he added, is committed to strengthening the nursing sector through policy improvements, reforms, and advanced digital systems. Kamal pointed out that nursing is one of the most crucial pillars of healthcare, and bold steps are being taken to align the profession with international standards.

He reaffirmed that reforms will prioritize merit-based practices, transparency, and modernization, ensuring that Pakistani nurses are equipped to meet both domestic and global demand. The minister underlined that improving the nursing profession would not only uplift healthcare delivery in Pakistan but also create new opportunities for nurses internationally. With these reforms, the government hopes to ensure that Pakistan’s healthcare sector benefits from a stronger and more professional nursing workforce, setting a foundation for long-term improvements in service delivery.