Sindh government has revised service structure for nurses to meet the shortage of nursing staff in the government hospitals, said Sindh Minister for Health, Dr.Saghir Ahmed on Wednesday. “This decision is equally applicable on private sector so as to attract more and more women towards the profession,” he told APP.
“They are now being inducted directly in BPS- 16 and are entitled to all relevant raise, renumeration and facilities,” elaborated the minister.
In reply to a query about acceptance of nursing profession, with women being the main force, he said time has changed a lot and there has is a massive demand for competent and qualified professional.
“In fact our daughters and sisters have won international acceptance for their dedication and competency well evident through their demand in the developed world,” Dr. Saghir Ahmed said.
This, he said can be one of the reasons for shortage of nurses that persists in many of the government hospitals despite recent induction of more than 600 qualified nurses, through Sindh Public Service Commission. As for tendency among nursing students to discontinue with their training program, the health minister said efforts are being made for a substantial raise in their stipend.
Dr. Saghir Ahmed said inadequate allowance may have compelled many of the trainees to discontinue with their training in mid-way to join private hospitals as semi-trained professionals. “The government understands the financial constraints of the trainees and is keen to address the issue and meet fast growing need for qualified nurses,” he said.
“Active and meaningful involvement of nurses as well as community midwives is pre-requisite for us to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four and five, related to quality lives of mothers and children, by the year 2015,” he said.
In reply to another question, he said role of nurses is not and can not be restricted to any one single sector and it is and has to be wide.
“Fortunately we are witness to specialized and post graduate level training for nurses in our colleges,” he said.
Dr. Saghir Ahmed in the same breath said most of these bright professionals are often lured to greener pastures well evident through their strong presence in the developed countries.
To a question about training programs for men interested in the nursing profession, he said decision in this regard has to be unanimously made by all the stake holders. The minister said the government’s policy of “Health for All,” is simultaneously focussed on improving conditions and facilities at hospitals and improvement in public awareness about hygienic practices.
