Lahore: The Health Department of Punjab has signed an agreement with Aga Khan University to improve the nursing sector in line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The memorandum of understanding was exchanged during a ceremony at the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, marking a significant step in the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the event was attended by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Secretary Health Punjab Azmat Mahmood, and other officials. The Aga Khan University delegation included senior representatives such as the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. The agreement aims to enhance nursing education and the health workforce through collaborations with national and international universities.
Provincial Health Minister Rafique emphasized the agreement as a milestone in promoting higher education in the nursing sector, which he referred to as the backbone of the health system. He noted that the Punjab government is taking steps to improve nursing education by updating the curriculum and offering scholarships to students from remote areas. The partnership with Aga Khan University is expected to develop a qualified pool of nursing faculty and leaders and improve nursing education continuity across Punjab.
The Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program, a five-year initiative with the Asian Development Bank’s collaboration, aims to standardize faculty qualifications and create educational opportunities for nursing educators. The MoU with Aga Khan University will focus on postgraduate education, research, digital learning, and institutional strengthening.
Secretary Health Punjab Azmat Mahmood welcomed the partnership, highlighting the need to align nursing education with research and emerging health workforce requirements. Program Director Tariq Mahmood outlined the reform agenda and ongoing engagements with other universities. The event concluded with the signing of the MoU, marking the first institutional partnership under the reform program.