Islamabad, Feb22: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet has approved a landmark initiative, introducing a one-year paid internship program for 650 BS Nursing graduates under the Provincial Health Services Academy (PHSA). This move aims to provide hands-on clinical experience to nursing graduates while addressing workforce shortages in the province’s healthcare sector.
Each intern will receive a monthly stipend of Rs31,000 and undergo practical training at teaching hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This marks the first time that BS Nursing graduates have been offered a structured, paid internship opportunity in the province. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Ihtesham Ali, emphasized the significance of this decision, stating that it reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare education and employment prospects for nursing professionals.
The decision follows the introduction of the BS Nursing program at PHSA-affiliated colleges, which created a demand for practical training opportunities. Acknowledging student concerns, the Health Department moved swiftly to secure Cabinet approval. Ihtesham Ali recalled a recent interaction with protesting nursing students, where he assured them that a paid internship program would be launched within a month. “Today, we have honored that promise,” he stated, underscoring the government’s responsiveness to student demands.
Alongside this development, the Cabinet also approved the appointment of a new Chairman for the PEPOS board and endorsed its reconstitution. These decisions collectively reflect the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to enhance governance in key sectors while prioritizing professional training and capacity-building initiatives.
The paid internship program is expected to improve employment opportunities for nursing graduates, ensuring that they gain essential clinical skills before formally entering the healthcare workforce. As the program rolls out, it is anticipated to set a precedent for similar initiatives aimed at strengthening the province’s medical and allied health professions.
