For every ten thousand people, there are only 5 to 6 nurses, its alarming for nation:Exports opinion

LARKANA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2026) Dr. Nusrat Shah, Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana said that Pakistan's major issue is its rapidly growing population, which has now turned into a "population bomb."

For every 10,000 people, there are only 5 to 6 nurses, whereas the World Health Organization stipulates that there should be one nurse for every five patients.

She expressed these views at the first-ever international research conference held at Chandka Medical College. National and international experts participated in the inaugural ceremony of the conference. On the first day of the conference, over 50 research papers were presented by students alongside experts.

During the inaugural ceremony, mobile phone lights were lit to pay tribute to Florence Nightingale, regarded as the founder of modern nursing. A documentary about her was also shown.

On this occasion and Vice Chancellor Professor Nusrat Shah, along with guests, cut a cake to mark Florence Nightingale's birthday.

Experts praised the organization of this first nursing conference at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nusrat Shah said more, "Recognizing the shortage and importance of nurses, we have launched an evening nursing program in Sukkur and Larkana."

She added that hospitals need more nurses than doctors. She further stated, "It is our good fortune that national and international nursing experts are present at our conference."

Dr. Pamela Marshall, Dean of Ziauddin University, the special guest at the ceremony, 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.

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She noted that the ratio of nurses in Pakistan is extremely low compared to global standards, making it essential to focus more on the training, research, and modern education of nursing professionals in the health sector.

The conference was also addressed by Tazeen Saeed Ali from Aga Khan University, Professor Dr. Rashida Ali from Peshawar, Professor Altaf Hussain Sheikh (Dean and Conference Chairperson at SBBMU), Professor Shaheena Sheikh (Dean), Registrar Fahad Jabran Siyal, and other experts stated that nurses are like frontline soldiers.

They noted that May is the birth month of Florence Nightingale, and organizing an international research conference on nursing to honor her is a commendable act. They added that Allah has blessed nurses with golden, compassionate hearts.

The conference secretary and Principal of the Nursing College, Professor 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 of the conference, research papers were presented simultaneously in six different halls. He also thanked the international experts from Thailand, China, Kuwait, the Philippines, and those who came 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.