PESHAWAR, Oct 21: The provincial government has appointed 465 charge nurses with immediate effect to overcome shortage of paramedical staff in the health facilities of the province.

With the recruitment of fresh charge nurses, 80 per cent shortage of nurses will removed in the hospitals of the province, an official handout said on Tuesday.

It said that the Health Department will shortly advertise for the remaining 20 per cent posts. The fresh charge nurses will be posted in teachings hospitals, DHQ hospitals and tehsil headquarters hospitals.

It is worth mentioning that nurses play vital role in healthcare delivery system. According to the international standard, four nurses required to assist a single doctor. Unfortunately, in our country this ratio is not up to the standard.

The Health Department has directed the newly appointed charge nurses to report to their station of duty within 15 days.