AKUH Holds First Surgical Nursing Conference to Improve Quality, Safety and Innovation

The conference brought together local and international healthcare experts to discuss modern nursing practices, patient safety, evidence-based care and the role of artificial intelligence in surgical healthcare.

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has organised its first Surgical Nursing Conference 2026, bringing together nursing leaders, surgeons, healthcare professionals, educators and researchers from Pakistan and abroad to discuss ways to improve surgical care.

Jointly organised by AKUH’s Department of Surgery and Division of Nursing Services, the conference was held under the theme, “Advancing Surgical Nursing Practice Across the Continuum of Care: Quality, Safety, and Innovation.”

The event provided a platform for healthcare professionals to share knowledge, discuss research and explore new developments in surgical nursing. It also highlighted the importance of specialised nursing skills in ensuring patient safety and improving surgical outcomes.

Discussions covered several key areas, including the current state of surgical nursing in Pakistan, evidence-based care and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health technologies in surgical procedures and patient care.

The conference also featured research presentations, poster sessions and a panel discussion on continuity of care. An interactive debate explored how AI could shape the future of surgical nursing.

Speaking at the event, AKUH Health System Pakistan CEO Dr Farhat Abbas said that skilled and knowledgeable nurses were essential to providing safe and high-quality surgical care.

He stressed that continuous professional development and improved nursing practices were important for enhancing patient care and achieving better health outcomes.

AKUH Chief Nursing Officer Khairunnissa Hooda said surgical nursing was an evolving speciality that required advanced skills and knowledge as medical and surgical practices continued to change.

She highlighted the important role of surgical nurses in supporting patients, leading clinical practices and promoting evidence-based care. She also emphasised the need for continuous training and professional development to strengthen patient-centred healthcare.

Dr Saleem Islam, Chair of AKUH’s Department of Surgery, highlighted the contribution of skilled nurses to successful surgical outcomes.

He said AKUH’s surgical outcomes compared favourably with those of US hospitals included in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database.

He also recognised the nursing teams as an important part of the hospital’s multidisciplinary approach to surgical care. According to him, the conference provided an opportunity to share AKUH’s clinical experience with other healthcare institutions and learn from their practices.

The conference marks an important step towards promoting specialised surgical nursing and supporting the professional growth of nurses in Pakistan. It also reinforces the importance of teamwork, innovation and continuous learning in delivering safer and better surgical care.