Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has announced a major Punjab nursing universities plan covering three key cities. The government will establish new nursing universities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan as part of broader efforts to strengthen nursing education across the province.

The minister made the announcement on Friday at a World Play Day event held at the University of Child Health Sciences. He revealed that the Punjab government had already doubled nursing admissions, raising the number from 3,000 to 6,000 seats. Additionally, officials have upgraded nursing colleges throughout the province to support this expansion.

Rafique added that nursing laboratories have received modern equipment to support better training. Furthermore, he said efforts are currently underway to train nurses according to international standards. This focus on global benchmarks reflects the government’s broader ambitions for the sector.

The minister praised Pakistani nurses, noting they are highly valued worldwide for their professional skills and dedication. He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to improving both nursing education and overall healthcare services in Punjab.

Beyond the new nursing universities plan, Rafique also revealed plans to introduce 450 additional medical seats next year. Meanwhile, specialized healthcare centers are being established at the district level to expand access to care. Moreover, new training programs for nurses are also launching, including specialized courses in stroke management.

Together, these initiatives point to a broader push to strengthen Punjab’s healthcare workforce. Still, the success of these plans will depend on how quickly the new universities and training programs become operational. Finally, officials have not yet announced a specific timeline for when the three new nursing universities will open their doors to students.