The Committee of Deans of Nursing Faculties in Iraqi Universities, chaired by Prof. Dr. Wissam Jabbar Qasim, held a high-level meeting with His Excellency the Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Saleh Al-Hasnawi, in the presence of the President of the Nursing Association, Mr. Firas Al-Mousawi. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Health, witnessed in-depth discussions on ways to advance the nursing profession and translate academic curricula into advanced practical practices within health institutions, thereby ensuring improved quality of care for citizens.
The meeting resulted in important strategic decisions, during which the Minister directed the need to support the scientific aspect by transferring the top three students from nursing college graduates to the Ministry of Higher Education to fill the shortage of teaching staff and enhance field training with modern methods, Deans were given broader powers to monitor the performance of graduates and submit development proposals to improve the efficiency of nursing staff, which the Minister described as the cornerstone of the Iraqi health system, especially in vital departments such as intensive care and emergency care. The importance of joining the Arab Board to open up prospects for advanced specialization was also emphasized.
Within the framework of the future vision for the profession, the participants reviewed mechanisms for integrating sustainable development standards into the nursing system, emphasizing that developing the competence of Iraqi nurses directly contributes to achieving the goals of universal access to health services and ensuring the well-being of society. In this regard, Prof. Dr. Wissam Jabbar Qasim, Chairman of the Committee of Deans of Nursing Colleges, emphasized that the committee is working hard to formulate an academic and professional path in line with the requirements of sustainable development by preparing nursing cadres capable of leadership and innovation. He pointed out that integration between educational and service institutions is the real guarantee for building a sustainable health system that meets the needs of present and future generations. The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a permanent joint committee to ensure continued coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Nursing Union to enhance the professional and leadership role of this vital sector.
