The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination was informed that Pakistan is facing a shortage of about one million nurses.
Chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chisti, the meeting discussed the operations of the Ministry of National Health Services.
The Secretary of NHSRC highlighted the urgent need for funds to improve the ministry’s operations and addressed the poor conditions of hospitals like the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The committee also discussed the challenges of providing healthcare in rural areas.
The briefing included updates on various initiatives, such as the Sehat Sahulat Programme, which offers free health insurance to families living below the poverty line.
Senator Muhammad Humayun Mohmand emphasized the need to focus on the vulnerable population living below the poverty line. The secretary also reported on the progress of the Polio Eradication Initiatives and discussed future plans, including the Quaid-e-Azam Health Tower in Islamabad.
