NEWYORK: The Pakistani-American Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) has made significant strides in fostering the export of skilled nurses from Pakistan to North America.
This initiative, originating from a vision by New York Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos, aims to address the shortage of medical professionals in the United States and Canada while creating life-changing opportunities for Pakistani professionals.
APPAC has actively pursued this vision through extensive efforts over the past three years.
Under the leadership of Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, the APPAC Chairman, and with support from board members and the newly elected APPAC President, Dr. Pervez Iqbal, the organization organized two delegations to Pakistan.
These delegations held high-level meetings with officials in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as part of a sister-state collaboration between New York State, Punjab, and Sindh.
Deputy Speaker Ramos’s original idea capitalized on the success of Pakistani doctors in the United States, emphasizing the potential for trained medical staff from Pakistan to contribute similarly.
APPAC facilitated virtual conferences between the Pakistani Ministry of Health, the Nursing Council, and relevant institutions in the U.S., leading to the development of a framework for nurses to pre-qualify for jobs in North America by undergoing testing and meeting licensure requirements in Pakistan.
This week, the Pakistani government announced a breakthrough agreement to establish testing centers in Pakistan for nurses and other medical professionals.
This initiative will allow candidates to fulfill qualifications locally before applying for jobs abroad, strengthening Pakistan-U.S. bilateral ties and fostering greater people-to-people connections.
Dr. Ijaz Ahmad commended the collective efforts of the APPAC team, highlighting this achievement as a milestone in Pakistan-U.S. relations. Dr. Pervez Iqbal, APPAC’s new President, emphasized the growing demand for healthcare professionals in North America.
He underscored that this initiative presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan to train and export its medical workforce, benefiting both the U.S. healthcare system and the lives of Pakistani families.
This development marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s contribution to the global medical community while showcasing the impact of APPAC’s vision and collaborative efforts.
