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- Volume 1, Issue 1 2026
By Masood Hameed Khan
Nurses are the unsung heroes of Pakistan's healthcare system, yet the very system that relies on them is failing to equip them with the tools and support they need. As we stand at a crossroads in healthcare evolution, addressing the challenges in nursing education is critical to building a resilient, competent, and sufficient healthcare workforce. According to the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC), Pakistan has approximately 107,643 registered nurses, translating to about 0.45 nurses per 1,000 people for a population of about 241.5 million. This figure is far below the World Health Organization's recommended threshold of 3 nurses per 1,000 people. With such a low density of nurses, it is impossible to sustain Pakistan's healthcare system or any countries, especially when many nurses lack exposure to world-class training. To meet WHO recommendations and provide high-quality nursing care, Pakistan must urgently expand and enhance its nursing workforce. Below are the key challenges and proposed solutions that require immediate attention from the government, policymakers, nursing governing bodies, and private institutions.