ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh on Wednesday issued a statement stating nurses as an integral part of health teams, playing a crucial role in health promotion, disease prevention and treatment. The statement read that the Government is establishing a National Nursing Forum which will be housed in the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad. Shaikh in the statement asserted that as the health professionals are closest to the community they have an important role to play in developing new models of community based care. The Ministry will provide a platform for functioning of the forum and will make efforts to turn the recommendations into policies. He added that the forum will improve health by raising the profile and status of nurses in country, influencing policymakers and supporting nurses themselves to lead, learn and build a global movement. Furthermore the forum will empower nurses to become role models and leaders, breaking taboos associated with the nursing profession. Moreover it will promote females to join the profession with Collegial support fostered through sharing of tools and resources in an environment of mutual respect and collaboration. He added that support and sub-national groups will be formulated to carry the objectives forward. The Minister added that a national meeting of stakeholders will be organized to unveil the vision of the forum, adding that Provincial meetings involving local nursing societies will also be organized. Shaikh added that discussions with the Government will be held to shed light on the status of nursing profession through incentivization involvement of nurses in policy making and image making. According to the report the changing needs of 21st Century mean nurses have an even greater role to play in the future. New and innovative types of services are needed – more community and home-based, more holistic and people-centered, with increased focus on prevention and making better use of technology. Shaikh asserted that nurses can play a leading role. However, maximizing nurses’ contributions will require that they are properly deployed, valued and included in policy and decision-making. The forum will work in compliance with Nursing Now Global initiative which aims at working with partners around the world to advocate for more nurses in leadership positions – to help nurses achieve the influence they deserve. It will also help nurses access better education and training, while supporting them to share research and evidence of effective practice. Moreover, Nursing Now will encourage health leaders to invest in nursing and introduce new models of care that maximize nurses’ contributions in achieving Universal Health Coverage which would guarantee everyone the right to quality health care without financial hardship.