ISLAMABAD, March 20: Top priority will be given to the implementation of nursing sector reforms, said the health minister, Muhammad Nasir Khan, while presiding over a meeting here on Saturday.

The minister assured the participants that he would take all necessary measures to upgrade and uplift the status, living and working conditions of nursing professionals.

The meeting was organized by the Women Health Project, which was also attended by the new health secretary, Tariq Farook, and director-general, Maj-Gen (retired) Muhammad Aslam, representatives of nursing professionals and different hospitals under the control of the federal government.

Referring to the role of nursing, the minister pointed out that their work affected the lives of people, therefore, the quality of nursing training and services could not be compromised.

He directed the health ministry and the nursing leaders to develop the short-term and long-term strategies to address the pending issues of nursing sector.

The minister also highlighted the importance of an advocacy campaign to raise the status of nurses, streamline the issuance of no objection certificates to those going abroad and promote nursing as a lucrative profession for males.