PESHAWAR: Health Secretary Syed Adeel Shah has said that nursing is the cornerstone of healthcare system and government is committed to raising the standards of colleges and institutions to produce skilled professionals and ensure better patients’ care. Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of third batch of leadership and capacity building training programme for nurses here on Tuesday, he said that the programme was meant to improve standard of nursing in the province. The training programme is a joint initiative of Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar, health department and SAME RPS UK, according to a press release. The training program is aimed at improving quality of nursing education and skills to meet international standards with the support of expert trainers from United Kingdom. It will bring remarkable changes in the nursing sector and positively impact the province’s overall healthcare system. Mr Shah highlighted the importance of such programmes in strengthening nursing profession and emphasised that refresher courses and modern training methods would significantly enhance the skills of participants. He assured participants of his full support and residential facilities during the programme. He said that the leadership and capacity building training programme was being appreciated for its role in fostering professional development and enhancing the skills of nurses. “Refresher courses and continuous exposure to modern practices are expected to significantly improve the participants’ capabilities, contributing to the establishment of a strong and effective healthcare system,” he added. Dr Ijaz Hussain, the project director of SAME RPS, UK, outlined the goals and significance of the programme, stating that it was designed to equip nurses with advanced leadership skills and professional expertise. Prof Rubina Nazli, pro vice-chancellor of KMU, and Akhtar Bano, the director of nursing, also addressed the participants. They praised the transformative impact of the initiative in elevating the standards of nursing profession in the province. The programme provides participants with hands-on training aligned with international standards, incorporating modern techniques and best medical practices. In addition, facilities such as internet access, IT resources, modern classrooms and hospital visits are being provided to them to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.