ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan is facing a shortage of nurses as it requires 900,000 nurses whereas only 200,000 nurses are working in the Country at present who are unable to cater to the health needs of the growing population.
Talking to the medical students of Azad Jammu Kashmir Medical College, Muzaffarabad (AJKMC) at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Wednesday, the president highlighted the importance of the nursing profession, and said that the nursing profession has great significance and scope, and the Country needs to increase the number of nursing and paramedical staff.
The president said Pakistan’s health sector cannot afford to cater to the needs of over 220 million population, adding that it is essential to focus on the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
President Arif Alvi called for making preventive efforts to reduce the burden and risk of diseases in the Country.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی سے آزاد جموں کشمیر میڈیکل کالج مظفرآباد کے طلباء کی ملاقات
صدر مملکت کا ملک میں بیماریوں کے بوجھ اور خطرات کو کم کرنے کیلئے احتیاطی تدابیر پر زور
پاکستان کا شعبہ ِصحت 22 کروڑ سے زائد آبادی کی ضروریات پورا کرنے کا متحمل نہیں ہو سکتا، صدر مملکت pic.twitter.com/cFrqRGjsqF
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 8, 2023
Underscoring the importance of education, the president said that progress cannot be achieved without proper education, adding that the students should work hard and continue their profession to serve humanity.
The president said that the world is changing very fast and the education system of the Country needs to adapt itself to the changing circumstances by focusing on improving the analytical abilities of the students.
Dr. Arif Alvi added that students should improve their IT skills as IT is going to have vast applications in every profession of life.
The Principal of AJKMC Professor Dr. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari briefed President Arif Alvi about the role of the College in providing medical education to students since its establishment in 2011.
Dr. Mulazim said that the students of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are also studying in the College. He informed that the College has donated Rs 20 million to the people of flood-affected areas and is also constructing 32 houses for them in Dadu District.