Maroof International Hospital in partnership with Movenpick Centaurus Islamabad marked International Nurses Day with a focused Nurses Tribute seminar that brought together senior government representatives, healthcare leaders, students, girl guides, lady health workers and hospitality sector delegates to discuss the future of nursing and medical tourism in Pakistan.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate, attended as the chief guest, while Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Advisor and National Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Tourism, participated as guest of honor. Ch. Naseer Ahmed, Chairman of Maroof International Hospital, also joined healthcare and industry stakeholders for the event held in Islamabad.
The seminar was led by Haroon Naseer, CEO of Maroof International, with clinical leadership from Dr. Mir Abdul Waheed, Medical Director, and nursing leadership from Ms. Catherine, Chief of Nursing. Haroon Naseer underscored the urgent need to strengthen Pakistan’s nursing workforce and health infrastructure, noting that focused investment in training and career pathways is essential to meet modern care demands.
Speaking on the intersection of health and tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan highlighted Pakistan’s expanding prospects in medical and wellness tourism. He emphasized that combining high-quality healthcare, internationally trained professionals and world-class hospitality can position Pakistan as a competitive, affordable regional destination for medical treatment.
Dr. Mir Abdul Waheed paid tribute to nurses for their frontline role in patient care, emergency response and community health services, and Ms. Catherine stressed that every patient journey begins with a nurse. She called for expanded nursing education, continuous clinical training, leadership development and international exposure to raise standards of care across Pakistani hospitals.
The event closed with a clear commitment from policymakers, hospital leaders and industry partners to support nursing professionals, pursue healthcare innovation and strengthen Pakistan’s medical tourism ecosystem through meaningful public private partnerships that prioritise the nursing workforce and service quality.
