The new Punjab nursing policy removes Rs31,600 monthly stipends and free hostel facilities for students. Families now bear the full cost of education. Lawmakers and experts say this hits underprivileged students hardest. Critics argue the change undermines Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s efforts to provide accessible nursing education. The Punjab nursing policy has sparked resentment among students and parents.
Experts said the policy shift may gradually privatize nursing education in Punjab. They warned this could worsen the shortage of trained nurses. Hospitals already facing staff shortages may suffer further declines in patient care quality. Critics said the policy was introduced without proper evaluation of financial impact on families. Students from low- and middle-income backgrounds face unsafe, costly living arrangements.
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Under the new system, the University of Health Sciences Lahore will control admissions for BSN Generic programs. Morning programs have 3,100 seats across 45 public nursing colleges. Evening programs added 1,400 seats across 15 colleges. Each government college received 100 new evening seats. Previously, subsidized education gave financially challenged students access to nursing careers.
The policy allows nursing colleges to charge annual hostel fees similar to private institutions. Students now must either pay high fees or find costly private housing. Officials warned this may reduce female participation in nursing education. Families of students express frustration and fear financial hardship. The changes also detail eligibility, scoring, and application procedures for admissions.
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Many fear the Punjab nursing policy will have long-term effects on healthcare staffing. Female students face new financial and safety challenges under the policy. Parents and experts called for urgent review to protect accessible nursing education. The policy’s impact may ripple across hospitals and public health services. The Punjab nursing policy has fundamentally altered the financial and educational landscape for aspiring nurses.