Minister, US team discuss improving nursing sector in Punjab

LAHORE:Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and a US delegation have discussed signing of an agreement between Pakistan and the United States for the improvement of the nursing sector.

The delegation led by Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly of Pakistan Phil Ramos met the minister here on Sunday. Phil Ramos said he appreciated the steps taken by the Punjab government for the improvement of the nursing sector, adding, ‘We want to make an agreement with the Punjab government for the improvement of nursing department.’

Khawaja Salman Rafique said, ‘We welcome the delegation of New York State Assembly of Pakistan in the Health Department. Nursing is the backbone of the health system. Under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, we are trying to make things easier for the people. I learned a lot under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif.

All Nursing Schools in Punjab have been given the status of Nursing Colleges. The Punjab government has given the highest budget to the health department. In the government hospitals, we are trying to provide the best medical facilities to the public.

Trained nurses of Punjab are making Pakistan famous all over the world.’ The minister presented a bouquet to the delegation. Special Secretary Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Raja Mansoor, Additional Secretary Technical Dr Hafiz Shahid and Additional DG Nursing Farzana were present.

New York State Assembly of Pakistan delegation was included Angela Ramos, Alice Brooke, Christian Macario, Magiol Meena, Athar Tirmizi, Rosario, Dr Ijaz Ahmed, Imtiaz Rahi, Dr Khalid Mahmood, Rukhsana Mahmood, Dr Parvaiz Iqbal, Tariq Khan, Ashfaq Ahmed, Aamir Memon, Iftikhar Saeed, Dr Sadia Tahir, Imtiaz Pirzada, Naeem Haroon, Imran Rashid, Sulaiman Rashid, Haroon Rashid, Faraz Naseer and Naeem Akhtar. Special Secretary Raja Mansoor and Additional Technical Secretary Dr Shahid Latif informed the priorities of the Punjab Health Department.