Health minister announces crackdown on alleged corruption in Nursing Council

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal on Monday announced a major crackdown on alleged corruption, fake degrees and illegal activities in the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), while unveiling plans for wide-ranging reforms in the nursing sector.

Speaking at a press conference during a visit to the Pakistan Nursing Council, the minister said Pakistan urgently needed around 900,000 nurses to effectively run its healthcare system, while the global market had demand for approximately 2.5 million nurses.

He said neighbouring countries had successfully deployed around 600,000 nurses abroad, generating valuable foreign exchange, whereas only about 6,000 Pakistani nurses were currently working overseas.

Mustafa Kamal said the nursing profession should be treated as a national priority, describing nurses as the backbone of the healthcare system. He said years of neglect had contributed to a serious shortage of trained nursing staff.

The minister alleged that an organized group had been operating within the Pakistan Nursing Council and had severely affected the institution's functioning.

He claimed that the council's former president had occupied the position on the basis of a fake degree and that several legal issues were linked to her appointment.

According to the minister, nearly 80 percent of the council's members had filed court cases against the president and other officials, reflecting what he described as a deep institutional crisis.

Mustafa Kamal also alleged that some officials, including the deputy registrar, were involved in illegal activities and accused certain elements of collecting large sums of money from investors and citizens in exchange for approvals and registrations of nursing colleges.

He said a system of bribery had developed in violation of established rules and regulations.

The health minister announced immediate reforms in the Nursing Council aimed at improving transparency, accountability and merit-based decision-making.

He said the government planned to modernize the nursing sector in line with international standards, improve employment opportunities for nurses and strengthen Pakistan's ability to compete in the global healthcare workforce.

Mustafa Kamal expressed hope that the reforms would help address the country's nursing shortage, improve healthcare services and expand opportunities for Pakistani nurses in international markets.