Islamabad: A groundbreaking report by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) and Aga Khan University’s (AKU) School of Nursing and Midwifery reveals the immense potential of Pakistan’s nursing workforce to drive economic expansion and elevate the nation’s global standing. The study, titled ‘Pakistan’s Nursing Workforce – Export Potential and Challenges’, emphasizes strategic investments in nurses as crucial for bolstering the healthcare sector, stimulating the economy, and enhancing Pakistan’s international image.
The analysis identifies two primary avenues for development. A robust and well-supported nursing workforce contributes to a healthier populace, essential for sustained economic prosperity. The document also highlights the possibility of increasing valuable remittances and establishing Pakistan as a source of skilled healthcare professionals by enhancing the training and international mobility of its nurses.
The report underscores the concerning trend of increasing nurse migration, with a 54% annual growth rate in overseas placements between 2019 and 2024. Pakistan currently produces only 5,600 nursing graduates each year, a figure dwarfed by the demand. The nurse-to-population ratio stands at a mere 5.2 per 10,000 individuals, significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 30 per 10,000.
Dr. Salimah Walani, Dean of AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, stressed the need to address the “push and pull” factors driving nurse migration. She questioned whether nurses are adequately valued and compensated within Pakistan’s healthcare system, citing the imbalanced ratio of over two physicians per nurse.
The investigation proposes strategies to retain nursing professionals, including improved remuneration, well-defined career progression, and public awareness efforts to enhance the profession’s image. It also advocates educational, policy, and procedural modifications to facilitate international employment, reduce financial obstacles, and promote Pakistani nurses globally.
Farah Naz Ata, Senior Economist at PBC, urged a shift in perspective, viewing nurses as essential rather than undervalued. She believes that implementing the report’s recommendations can elevate healthcare standards domestically, empower nurses, and unlock significant foreign remittances.
The report launch at AKU brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, nursing leaders, and other key partners, signaling a commitment to collaborative national action. AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery played a pivotal role in developing the report, ensuring its practicality and relevance. The publication serves as a comprehensive, expert-informed plan to elevate Pakistan’s nursing workforce, the foundation of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The PBC and AKU are dedicated to disseminating these results and supporting their implementation.