KMU Organizes Enthusiastic Celebration of International Nurses Day

Khyber Medical University (KMU) Institute of Nursing Sciences organized a vibrant celebration of International Nurses Day to pay tribute to the invaluable services of nurses. The day is observed annually around the globe in honor of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Florence Nightingale, a British nurse, revolutionized the field of nursing through her dedicated service to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-56)

The event’s chief guest was VC KMU Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq , while other distinguished guests included Mr. Fazal Maula, Member of Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ms. Akhtar Bano, Director Nursing at DGHS KP, Prof. Dr. Dildar Muhammad, Dean of Nursing Sciences at KMU, and Dr. Najma Naz, Director Institute of Nursing Sciences.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq stated that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal doctor-to-nurse ratio should be 1:4. However, in Pakistan, this ratio is currently 1:1, reflecting a severe shortage. He shared that KMU, in collaboration with the Pakistan Nursing Council, has established over 100 nursing institutions across the province, with more than 10,000 students currently enrolled. These institutes will play a key role in improving the healthcare system in the coming years.

Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq emphasized that KMU is committed not only to increasing the number of nursing professionals but also to maintaining high standards in nursing education. He termed the establishment of a dedicated Faculty of Nursing at KMU as a major milestone and congratulated Dr. Dildar Muhammad on his appointment as Dean of the faculty.

He added that nurses are ambassadors of their noble profession, and their dedication, hard work, and passion are the keys to success. He also cautioned that granting affiliations to non-professional institutions may compromise the quality of nursing education. Only professional universities like KMU have the capacity to meet modern healthcare challenges while ensuring academic excellence.

Other speakers highlighted the theme of International Nurses Day 2025: “Our Nurses. Our Future.” They emphasized that investing in nursing education and training is critical for improving patient care and building a healthy nation.

They stated that nurses are the backbone of any healthcare system, and there should be no compromise on the quality of their education. For a country like Pakistan with a population exceeding 240 million, at least one million nurses are required, while currently only 70,000 are serving across the nation—an enormous gap and a pressing challenge.

Speakers also stressed the importance of specialized nursing and the need for training aligned with international standards, given the high global demand for Pakistani nurses. They urged all stakeholders to work collectively toward enhancing the quality of nursing education to turn this demand into a major economic opportunity for the country. On the occasion, young nurses took an oath to serve humanity, and a cake-cutting ceremony was held to mark International Nurses Day.