International Nurses Day at AKU

Healthy work environment key to effective delivery of nursing services

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Defining a healthy work environment as one that maximises the health and well-being of nurses as well as quality patient outcomes and organisational and system performance, Dr Saeeda Malik, Sindh Minister for Women Development, said that such an environment is “the key to effective delivery of nursing services”. Dr Malik was the chief guest at the International Nurses Day at Aga Khan University (AKU) on June 12, 2007. The day-long event, themed “Positive practice environments: quality workplaces enhance quality patient care” also included three concurrent working sessions and the event attracted nurses and nursing leaders from AKU as well as of other hospitals. Dr Malik said that they were all “important partners in raising the image and status of nurses in their professional development efforts.”

She especially acknowledged the “brilliant and professional” efforts of nurses after October 2005 earthquake and its aftermath. This is also an opportunity to celebrate nursing achievements and to consider the many challenges that lie ahead. Calling for nurses to be recognised as equal team members overseeing patient care, she highlighted the lack of sufficient recognition and called on concerned o fficials and senior nursing leaders at the Pakistan Nursing Council and Pakistan Nursing Federation to ensure that nurses are given autonomy and empowerment in performing their responsibilities towards patients and families. Efforts needed to be made to decrease factors causing job dissatisfaction. Effective nursing leadership, she said, is “essential in fostering healthy working conditions in all sectors of health care settings”, and that this would ensure the best possible healthy work environments for nurses.

In her welcome, Dr Khurshid Khowaja, Director of Nursing Services of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), said that this event is expected to provide a platform for nursing colleagues from all over Pakistan to share their ideas, thoughts, and feelings regarding the theme of this year's commemoration. This would enhance nursing knowledge; promote concepts of research in nursing by reviewing new literature and research-based knowledge. As compared to the past, nursing in Pakistan is becoming a professionally sought after career opportunity and a respectable option for working women.

Acting Provost AKU Dr David Taylor stressed that as professionals, nurses need a practice environment that acknowledges the social and health mandate of their discipline. Institutional policy structures needed to recognise the importance of education and ongoing learning emphasise team work and encourage creativity and innovation.

The speeches were followed by a panel discussion, moderated by AKU-SON's Director MScN programmes, Dr Rozina Karmaliani. Barrister Shahida Jamil provided the legal perspective on the discussion, which also included physicians' and Human Resource perspectives.

As a part of its social responsibility and commitment to the advancement of health research and education, AKU regularly holds seminars, symposiums and events to raise awareness about health and education related issues which are of national importance and interest.

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