RAWALPINDI: To improve nursing studies, Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) has become the sole educational institution in Punjab to launch the Journal of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

RMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Umer said thatRMU launched the Journal of Nursing to advocate research-oriented training and learning in the nursing curriculum. The Nursing & Allied Health Journal will pave the way for a PhD nursing programme.

Allied Health Sciences is another area that needs improvement.RMU has also introduced a research-based and competency-based curriculum for Allied Health Sciences, said RMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Umer.

He said that Allied Health Sciences students will be facilitated in registering for the PhD program. “HEC is also approached to give approval for this programme,” he said. It is pertinent to mention that RMU is the only medical university publishing a Health & Climate Journal along with Student, Resident & Faculty Journal in Pakistan.

He also told Dawn that the Pakistani healthcare delivery system has many challenges, particularly the lack of trained healthcare professionals. “There is one doctor for 13000 patients, one bed for 1500 patients, and one nurse for 3000–4000 people,” he said.

To improve healthcare delivery services in Pakistan and keeping above data in mind, he said that Pakistan needs to improve nursing education and training. Rawalpindi Medical University has become the premier university to start the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programme and is looking for approval of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programme from HEC soon to start the Master Programme for Nursing,” he said.

He said that Rawalpindi Medical University had also started a diploma in endoscopy, critical care, and mental health. “This year, this programme will be extended to a diploma in emergency and paediatrics,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2024