Islamabad: The International Labour Organization (ILO) marked International Nurses Day 2025 with a prominent national webinar aimed at addressing the critical need for investment in Pakistan’s nursing workforce. The event, themed “Decent Work for Nurses – Investing in Safety and Economic Growth,” convened representatives from the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC), the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development, alongside ILO technical experts.
Mr. Geir Tonstol, ILO Country Director for Pakistan, opened the dialogue by acknowledging nurses as essential to the healthcare system and emphasized the necessity of ensuring fair wages, safe working environments, and opportunities for career progression. Highlighting Pakistan’s low nurse-to-population ratio, he urged for policy reforms and investments to address workforce deficits and enhance gender-responsive healthcare.
Ms. Musarrat Rani from the Midwifery Association of Pakistan pointed to challenges such as high turnover and gender-based barriers that contribute to a critical shortage of nurses. She supported recent policy initiatives but called for stronger alliances with organizations like ILO and increased budgetary allocation for nurse training and empowerment.
Dr. Sabeen Afzal, representing the Ministry of National Health Services, outlined the government’s strategic efforts to bridge the nursing workforce gap. She noted an increase in nursing institutions and student interest but acknowledged ongoing issues like faculty shortages and urban-focused deployment. The government’s roadmap includes expanding education infrastructure and facilitating international employment opportunities.
Ms. Maren Hopfe from ILO Geneva emphasized international labour standards pertinent to nursing, advocating for the ratification of conventions that protect healthcare workers’ rights and safety. She underscored the need for national frameworks to safeguard nurses against workplace violence and harassment.
Ms. Rabia Razzaque of ILO Pakistan presented a legal gap analysis, highlighting discrepancies between national laws and ILO standards. She called for a unified policy ensuring fair working conditions and professional development opportunities for nurses, aligned with global standards.
Concluding the event, Mr. Raja Shahroze Abbas of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis reaffirmed the commitment to advancing decent work for nurses and prioritized the ratification of Convention 149. He shared updates on aligning nursing education with international standards and facilitating structured migration through the Overseas Employment Corporation.