The U.S. is facing a shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers, and prospects for sending skilled workforce from Pakistan to fill this gap are looking brighter.
Progress has been made in sending skilled nursing professionals from Pakistan to the U.S., as a recent joint online meeting was held in Washington, D.C., with the participation of the Pakistani Embassy, U.S. diplomats, members of the New York State Assembly, and the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APAC).
In this meeting held on Tuesday, Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Consul General Ameer Ahmed Atouzi, and Community Welfare Attaché at the New York Consulate participated. Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos and Chief of Staff Christian Macario, representing the New York State Assembly, also attended, along with APAC Chairman Dr. Ejaz Ahmed and APAC President Dr. Pervez Iqbal.
Deputy Speaker Ramos recognized the importance of opening exam centers in Pakistan, which would allow nursing students to take the tests domestically. This computer-based exam determines a nursing graduate’s readiness for professional practice.
Ramos highlighted the increasing demand for qualified healthcare professionals in the U.S. and expressed interest in Pakistan’s support to meet this need.
Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh called this development a significant milestone, emphasizing that it would reduce financial burdens and encourage more professionals to participate in the initiative.
He stressed the importance of aligning recruitment and immigration processes with local healthcare demands to create an effective supply chain for skilled nurses.
The U.S.-Pakistan Public Affairs Committee outlined its key role in initiating this collaboration, which also included facilitating Deputy Speaker Ramos’ visit to Pakistan.
They noted that the shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in the nursing sector, presents a valuable opportunity for Pakistani workers.
It was agreed that representatives from all concerned parties will hold regular follow-up meetings to ensure smooth progress.
Dr. Ejaz Ahmed praised the collective efforts of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee team, calling this progress a milestone in Pakistan-U.S. relations.
The new President of APAC, Dr. Pervez Iqbal, highlighted the growing demand for healthcare professionals in North America and emphasized that this initiative will allow Pakistan to train and export its medical workforce.
He stated that it will benefit both the U.S. healthcare system and Pakistani professionals seeking global careers.
According to the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee, this initiative represents an important step in Pakistan’s contribution to the global medical community and reflects the impact of the committee’s vision and collaborative efforts.
