LARKANA - Dr Nusrat Shah, Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana, declared that Pakistan's rapidly growing population has become a "population bomb." She highlighted that for every 10,000 people, there are only 5 to 6 nurses, while the World Health Organization mandates one nurse for every five patients. She expressed these views during the first-ever international research conference held at Chandka Medical College.
International Research Conference Inauguration
National and international experts participated in the inaugural ceremony of the conference. On the first day, over 50 research papers were presented by students alongside experts. The event also featured a tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, with mobile phone lights lit in her honor and a documentary screened. Vice Chancellor Professor Nusrat Shah and guests cut a cake to mark Florence Nightingale's birthday.
Nursing Shortage and New Programs
Addressing the conference, Dr Nusrat Shah said, "Recognizing the shortage and importance of nurses, we have launched an evening nursing program in Sukkur and Larkana." She emphasized that hospitals need more nurses than doctors. "It is our good fortune that national and international nursing experts are present at our conference," she added.
Dr Pamela Marshall, Dean of Ziauddin University and special guest, said the aim of this world-class academic event was to promote the exchange of ideas on modern trends and challenges in nursing education, research, and healthcare services. She noted that the ratio of nurses in Pakistan is extremely low compared to global standards, making it essential to focus more on training, research, and modern education of nursing professionals.
Expert Opinions and Conference Highlights
The conference was also addressed by Tazeen Saeed Ali from Aga Khan University, Prof Dr Rashida Ali from Peshawar, Prof Altaf Hussain Sheikh (Dean and Conference Chairperson at SBBMU), Professor Shaheena Sheikh (Dean), Registrar Fahad Jabran Siyal, and other experts. They stated that nurses are like frontline soldiers and noted that May is the birth month of Florence Nightingale, making the international research conference a commendable tribute.
The conference secretary and Principal of the Nursing College, Prof Nazir Ahmed Buriro, said they received 140 research papers from across Pakistan. He mentioned that eight pre-conference workshops were held in various cities of Sindh, and on the second day, research papers were presented simultaneously in six different halls. He thanked international experts from Thailand, China, Kuwait, the Philippines, and those from all over Pakistan.
The conference was attended by a large number of students, faculty, officers, and university students, as well as guests from out of town, alongside students from private and government nursing schools and colleges.
