Eight Pakistanis on 100 outstanding nurses and midwife leaders’ list amid pandemic

A combination of picture shows eight nurses and midwives from Pakistan who have been honored in the global 100 Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife Leaders 2020 list put out by Women in Global Health (WGH) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). (Courtesy: Aga Khan University)

• All the Pakistani women recognized are faculty or alumni of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery
• Aga Khan University said the women had been acknowledged for raising health care standards globally “during these difficult times” of the pandemic

ISLAMABAD: Eight Pakistani nurses and midwife leaders have been honored in the global 100 Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife Leaders 2020 list put out by Women in Global Health (WGH) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund, Nursing Now, International Council of Nurses and International Confederation of Midwives.
All eight nurses and midwives from Pakistan are faculty or alumni of the Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The ranking marks the end of the WHO’s yearlong Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020 campaign, which recognizes the vital role of nurses and midwives in providing health services and in helping achieve targets under the global sustainable development goals.
“During the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife (YONM), amidst a global pandemic, the courageous work of nurses and midwives deserves, more than ever, to be honored— not just by applause,” YONM said on its website. A statement by Aga Khan University said the women had been recognized for their contribution to raising health care standards across the globe, “especially during these difficult times” of the coronavirus pandemic.
SONAM Dean Dr. Rozina Karmaliani has been honored under the Board and Management category in recognition of her efforts to spearhead improvements in adolescent health, strengthen research capacities and integrate research into education and practice.
Faculty members Yasmin Parpio and Samina Vertejee were named under the Community Hero category for their services in community health nursing, while Saima Sachwani has been recognized for her contributions in developing an impactful nursing curriculum under the Human Capital Development category. Nurse-midwife Marina Baig was listed for leveraging mobile health technology to improve maternal health outcomes under the Innovation, Science and Health category.
Three SONAM alumni were also recognized under the Community Hero category. They include Dr. Shela Hirani for her efforts to promote breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic, Neelam Punjani for her work in improving access to sexual and reproductive health rights and Sadaf Saleem for her contributions to geriatric nursing.