The Aga Khan University’s (AKU) School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), Pakistan, has joined forces with leading academic institutions across Pakistan to launch the National Consortium for Nursing and Midwifery Excellence. This alliance is aimed at strengthening collective advocacy, academic excellence, and professional visibility for nurses and midwives nationwide.
As a founding member, SONAM is partnering with the University of Lahore (Punjab Region), Riphah International University (Federal Region), and RMI Education (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Region) to address critical challenges in the nursing and midwifery sectors. The consortium, jointly initiated by the University of Lahore and AKU’s SONAM, represents a unified commitment to elevate the professions’ standards and societal recognition across
Pakistan.
According to the Pakistan Business Council’s 2025 report, the country faces an alarming nursing workforce shortage, with only 5.2 nurses per 10,000 people and low retention rates. By creating a national platform for collaboration, the consortium aims to advance education quality, career growth and policy reform – while tackling long-standing challenges such as limited recognition, misleading stereotypes, and constrained career advancement of nurses and midwives.
Modelled after successful initiatives in countries like Kenya and the United States, the consortium will enable institutions to share best practices, co-develop programmes, modernise curricula and advocate for policy reforms that enhance workforce capacity and health care outcomes.
The Memorandum of Understanding formalising this collaboration was signed by Dr Salimah Walani, Dean of SONAM with Dr Saleema Gulzar, Associate Dean, Outreach and Partnerships, serving as a witness. The signing took place during the 1st International Conference on Nursing and Midwifery, hosted by the University of Lahore on October 25, 2025. The event convened leaders and experts from across Pakistan and featured 25 national and international speakers who shared insights to strengthen institutional capacity and inspire the next generation of health care professionals.
“AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has been a leader in nursing education in Pakistan since its inception in 1983,” said Dr Walani. “Together with our consortium partners, we are creating a collaborative environment for advancing the nursing and midwifery agenda for the country.”
The National Consortium for Nursing and Midwifery Excellence represents more than an institutional partnership – it is a collective pledge to raise the standards of education, research and professional leadership in line with global best practices. Together, these institutions are working toward a future where Pakistan’s nurses and midwives are fully empowered to deliver compassionate, high-quality care that meets the needs of the population.
