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LAHORE, May 30 (APP):Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has announced that the University of Child Health Sciences (UCHS) has become the first medical institution in Pakistan to train and produce pediatric nurses, marking a historic advancement in the country’s healthcare education sector.
Chairing the 13th Syndicate meeting of the university, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding the university’s capacity and providing state-of-the-art facilities. He highlighted that this achievement is the result of the special interest taken by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, under whose leadership Rs 22 billion in outstanding dues for medicines at public hospitals have been cleared over the past five years.
Khawaja Salman Rafique directed the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) to ensure the timely completion of the university’s main building, a key step in strengthening pediatric healthcare infrastructure in Punjab. The meeting, held at the university, brought together leading medical academics and government officials, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Masood Sadiq, Registrar Prof. Nabila Talat, and representatives from the University of Health Sciences, Higher Education Commission, and Department of Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education.
During the session, the minister ratified all decisions taken in the 12th Syndicate meeting and reviewed the progress of their implementation. He also received a comprehensive briefing from IDAP officials on the ongoing construction of the main building.
Several key decisions were made during the 13th meeting, including the approval of appointments to key statutory positions, endorsement of recommendations from the university’s academic council, and the establishment of new academic departments. The Syndicate also approved the launch of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in collaboration with the University of Health Sciences, pending final approval from the Higher Education Commission. Additionally, the creation of new posts for the School of Allied Health Sciences and the College of Nursing, as well as the establishment of the Department of Human Nutrition and procurement of laboratory equipment, were also approved.
The Health minister described the progress at UCHS as a significant step towards addressing the province’s growing pediatric healthcare needs. He praised the university’s pioneering role in producing specialized pediatric nurses and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting such transformative initiatives in healthcare and medical education.