Punjab and Aga Khan University Sign MoU to Strengthen Nursing Education
The Punjab Health Department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aga Khan University to enhance nursing education, faculty development, research, and healthcare workforce capacity in the province.
LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th Aug, 2026)
The MoU was signed under the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program (PNHWRP) at a ceremony held at the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education on Wednesday. Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Secretary Health Punjab Azmat Mahmood attended the event.
Representatives from both institutions exchanged the MoU. The Aga Khan University delegation included Dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Associate Dean Dr Laila, Senior Manager Abid Ali, and Manager Sania Bardanwala. Project Director Program Implementation Unit Tariq Mahmood Rahmani, Additional Secretary Ameera Bedar, DG Nursing, and other officers were also present.
Khawaja Salman Rafique described the agreement as a significant step in the Punjab government’s efforts to improve nursing education and promote higher education in the health sector. He highlighted recent initiatives to strengthen the nursing sector, including the recruitment of thousands of nurses and the conduct of refresher courses aligned with modern standards.
He emphasized that nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system, and noted that the provincial government is committed to raising their quality and addressing nurse shortages.
The minister explained that Punjab is upgrading nursing education according to World Health Organization standards, revising curricula to international levels, and implementing measures for:
- Recruting nursing educators
- Expanding the scope of nurse practitioners
- Providing scholarships and incentives to students from remote areas
He added that the partnership with Aga Khan University will contribute to improving nursing education quality and competence in Punjab through:
- Postgraduate education and scholarships
- Research and knowledge exchange
- Digital and simulation-based learning
- Academic and institutional strengthening
The PNHWRP is a five-year program initiated by the Department of Specialized Healthcare aimed at transforming the healthcare landscape in Punjab.
