Islamabad: The Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA), Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, reaffirmed his commitment to making HSA the country’s leading public health institution by 2026. He emphasized the acute shortage of highly trained nurses in Pakistan, stating that the country immediately requires 500,000 nurses. Additionally, 85% of doctors and 95% of hospital beds are concentrated in urban areas, which severely limits healthcare access for rural populations. Addressing this imbalance is a critical necessity.
He was briefing journalists on the challenges facing the healthcare sector and the role of HSA in addressing them. Also present at the briefing were HSA Registrar Professor Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Khan, Controller of Examinations Nadeem Sajjad Kayani, and Additional Controller of Examinations Dr. Khalid Iqbal Malik.
Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan pointed out that outdated traditions and lack of public awareness are the primary challenges in Pakistan’s healthcare sector. In developed countries, people proactively manage their health, whereas in Pakistan, most seek medical attention only after their condition worsens. He stressed that HSA’s focus is not just on treatment but also on disease prevention to improve overall health standards.
Highlighting HSA’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Khan stated that the academy played a frontline role in providing protective guidelines to the public and establishing safety protocols for healthcare professionals. He further emphasized that HSA aims to contribute to public health, human resource development, legislation, and policymaking to enhance healthcare in society.
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Dr. Shahzad Khan described the shortage of nurses as a critical issue, noting that according to international standards, there should be four nurses per doctor. However, in Pakistan, the ratio is reversed, with one nurse for every four doctors. He urged immediate action to bridge this gap in the nursing sector.
Discussing HSA’s achievements, he mentioned that the academy offers 29 different diploma and associate degree programs, along with BS, MS, MPhil, and PhD programs in healthcare. Currently, more than 1,600 students are enrolled at HSA, with over 1,000 graduates entering the healthcare sector each year.
Dr. Shehzad Ali Khan highlighted that HSA graduates secure employment immediately after completing their education. “The unique aspect of our institution is that every graduate leaves with a job appointment letter because there is a significant demand for trained professionals in the healthcare sector,” he stated.
He reaffirmed HSA’s mission, emphasizing that the academy is committed not only to education but also to bringing transformative changes in public health. “We are determined to make HSA Pakistan’s No.1 public health institution by 2026,” he concluded.
