Eight outstanding Pakistani nurses and midwives have been honored by being included in the global 100 Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife Leaders 2020 list.
The healthcare workers have been accredited by Women in Global Health (WGH), which collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund, Nursing Now, International Council of Nurses and International Confederation of Midwives on the list.
All eight nurses and midwives representing Pakistan are a part of the faculty/alumni of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, SONAM.
“The list distinguished 100 nurses and midwives from 43 nations for their role in raising healthcare standards globally, specifically through these trying times of the coronavirus pandemic,” a statement issued by the Aga Khan University, stated.
The ranking marks the conclusion of the WHO’s Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020 campaign, which distinguishes the dynamic role of nurses and midwives in providing medical services and in helping accomplish targets under the global sustainable development goals.
SONAM Dean Dr Rozina Karmaliani has been honored under the Board and Management category in acknowledgement of her efforts to spearhead developments in adolescent health, fortify research capacities and integrate research into education and practice.
Faculty members Yasmin Parpio and Samina Vertejee have been called under the Community Hero category for their services in community health nursing, while Saima Sachwani has been recognized for her aid in developing an impactful nursing curriculum under the Human Capital Development category. Nurse-midwife Marina Baig has also been acclaimed for leveraging mobile health technology to improve maternal health results under the Innovation, Science and Health category.
Three SONAM alumni have also been distinguished under the Community Hero category. They include Dr Shela Hirani for her labors to promote breastfeeding through the Covid-19 pandemic, Neelam Punjani for her effort in improving access to sexual and reproductive health rights and Sadaf Saleem for her contributions to geriatric nursing.
“It is an honor to be acknowledged by the international public health and nursing fraternity,” said Dr Karmaliani, according to her statement. “This year has been particularly challenging for healthcare providers, all of whom have shown incredible commitment in their respective roles in responding to the Covid-19 crisis.”
