55 Nursing Colleges in Pakistan Found Ineligible

In a recent meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar, alarming revelations emerged about the condition of nursing education in Pakistan. The Secretary of Health informed the committee that all 55 nursing colleges recently reviewed were found to be below acceptable standards and thus, ineligible for accreditation. The students can get latest updates of 55 Nursing Colleges in Pakistan Found Ineligible for Accreditation.

The session was attended by Minister of State for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, standing in for Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. Dr. Kumar referred to a televised interview in which the health minister reportedly acknowledged problems within the Pakistan Nursing Council. The committee treated this as an official confirmation of irregularities in the council’s functioning.

National Health Committee Reveals Deep Concerns Over Standards and Oversight

According to the Health Secretary, a comprehensive assessment of the 55 institutions revealed that none met the minimum accreditation criteria. A detailed evaluation report on the Pakistan Nursing Council’s oversight and performance is currently being compiled.

Dr. Bharath also addressed concerns related to the previous governments tenure, noting that 15 medical colleges had received simultaneous accreditation from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council PMDC. This mass approval is now being investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency FIA, and a fresh inspection process has been initiated.

He further suggested that medical entrance tests should be handled by provincial governments, a recommendation supported by the committee. Committee member Abdul Qadir Patel advocated for domicile-based testing and proposed that regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir should have separate registration and testing mechanisms.

Due to the federal health minister’s absence, Dr. Bharath proposed postponing the discussion on amendments to the Pharmacy Council Act, prompting Abdul Qadir Patel to exit the meeting in protest.

The committee also reviewed services at the National Institute of Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities NIRM, which has been instrumental in treating victims of the 2005 earthquake. The facility offers a range of services including surgical procedures, prosthetics, speech therapy, and psychological support. However, the lack of an emergency ward remains a significant shortfall.

NIRM’s executive director informed the committee that a request for Rs. 55 million in development funds was submitted, but only Rs. 15 million was approved. Committee members also expressed concern that the institute’s Rs. 50 million annual drug budget is inadequate and recommended seeking financial aid from Bait-ul-Mal. The session concluded with a discussion on the need for tighter regulation of private hospital charges.