Dr. Jamal Nasir, Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, announced today that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, has taken significant steps to ease overseas employment for nurses. Barriers hindering nurses from seeking jobs abroad have been removed by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare department.
The decision to prioritize processing nurses’ applications for ex-Pakistan leave was made in response to Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s directive. This move aims to create opportunities for experienced nurses to work abroad while benefiting the local healthcare system upon their return.
Read more : Sindh Gets New Mother and Child Healthcare Facility Funded by Japan
The foreign remittances sent back by these nurses during their employment will be a valuable contribution to Pakistan’s national cause, as the country needs foreign exchange reserves.
To assist nurses, comprehensive guidelines have been issued, covering in-charge nurses, head nurses, or equivalent designations from BS-16 to BS-19, seeking ex-Pakistan leave for overseas employment. Regular nurses are eligible, but these guidelines do not apply to those on contract or ad hoc bases. A valid employment offer letter from a foreign health facility is required for eligibility.
Applicants are advised to attach the obtained visa with the leave application to expedite the process. Applications can be directly submitted at the facilitation center, HISDU, with a commitment to deciding on them within four working days.
Dr. Jamal Nasir directed the concerned deputy secretary to monitor pending applications daily and not to delay approval for the need of a substitute nurse in a health facility. Cases of applicants under the PEEDA ACT, 2006, will be examined on a case-by-case basis, considering the seriousness of the charges based on established guidelines.
