Punjab Launches Paid Internship Program for Nursing Graduates to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce

By Farzana Choudhry

Lahore, Pakistan: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a one-year paid internship program for fresh nursing graduates, marking a major milestone in strengthening the province’s healthcare system and empowering nursing professionals.

Principal of Ameer-ud-Din Medical College (AMC) Prof. Farooq Afzal hailed the initiative as a “historic and transformative step” for the nursing sector in Pakistan. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony held at the College of Nursing AMC/LGH, he said the program would ensure both professional development and financial stability for nursing graduates completing their BScN (Generic) programs.

Prof. Afzal emphasized that nursing is a profession rooted in compassion and service, playing a pivotal role in patient recovery alongside doctors. He linked the values of care and empathy in nursing to Islamic traditions, recalling the women who tended to the wounded during the Battle of Uhud as early examples of humanitarian service.

During the event, Rubina Inam presented a detailed report on the college’s progress, while medical experts including Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain (MS LGH), Dr. Umar Ishaq (MS PINS), and Nursing Superintendent Asia Khannum highlighted the initiative’s impact on professional capacity building.

Prof. Afzal lauded the efforts of the nursing faculty — including Samer Naz Kanwal, Ramzana, Sajida Nusrat, Shahnaz Dar, Nadia Manzoor, Shoqia Hafiz, Shazia Yaqoob, Tabassum Zia, and Abida — for their contributions to training and academic excellence.

He added that the internship program aligns nursing education in Punjab with international standards, promoting skill development in research, administration, and clinical practice. Addressing newly enrolled interns, he urged them to prioritize patient care, continuous learning, and professional growth.

The ceremony concluded with awards presented to outstanding students, as Prof. Afzal expressed optimism that the initiative would play a crucial role in producing globally competitive nurses and elevating the healthcare standards across Pakistan.