KARACHI: Speakers at a conference discussed the critical role nurses play in safe, high-quality surgical care, while emphasising the need for professional development and strengthening nursing practices to improve patient care and outcomes.
The event — Surgical Nursing Conference — hosted by Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), brought together national and international nursing leaders, surgeons, healthcare professionals, educators and researchers to discuss developments in surgical nursing and strengthen its contribution to safe, high-quality surgical care.
It was jointly organised by AKUH’s department of surgery and division of nursing services.
The conference provided a platform to share clinical expertise, research and emerging practices under the theme, “Advancing Surgical Nursing Practice Across the Continuum of Care: Quality, Safety, and Innovation.”
It focused on promoting evidence-based practice, encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration and supporting the professional development of surgical nurses.
The programme featured sessions on the state of surgical nursing in Pakistan, evidence-based practice, and the role of artificial intelligence and digital health in perioperative care.
It also included oral research presentations, poster presentations, a multidisciplinary panel discussion on continuity of care and an interactive debate on the impact of AI on surgical nursing.
Emphasising the importance of nursing excellence in delivering quality surgical care, Dr Farhat Abbas, chief executive officer of AKUH Health System, Pakistan, said, “We recognise that skilled and knowledgeable nurses are central to safe, high-quality surgical care. Supporting their professional development and strengthening nursing practice are essential to improving patient care and outcomes.”
Highlighting the importance of advancing surgical nursing as a specialised field, AKUH Chief Nursing Officer Khairunnissa Hooda said that surgical nursing was an evolving speciality that required nurses to develop advanced skills and competencies alongside advances in surgical care.
Dr Saleem Islam, Chair, AKUH Department of Surgery, highlighted the contribution of skilled surgical nurses to patient outcomes and the importance of sharing clinical practices across institutions.
The conference marked an important step towards strengthening the recognition and professional development of surgical nursing in Pakistan, while reinforcing the contribution of skilled nursing teams to safer surgical care and better patient outcomes.
Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026
