Strengthening of Nursing and Midwifery Workforce

Strengthening of Nursing and Midwifery Workforce

The Union Health Minister has announced that seven National Nodal Centres have been identified for strengthening of ANM and nursing schools. Speaking at a function in Goa today, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad said that centre is also developing State Nodal Centres in ten other States. Describing the training process, as extremely crucial areas, he said they needs to be effectively nurtured and mentored for achieving maternal and child health goals. Stressing the needs for creation of National and State Nodal Centres for improving pre service training and rigorous quality control, he complimented Tamil Nadu, Pudduchery, Kerala and Goa for their achievement in this field. The Health Minister said we have to move towards a convergent approach and better coordination between nursing and Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programmes. The Minister listed the steps taken by the Ministry for improving the quality of nursing. This includes improving a Nursing Education Programme for different areas of specialization for staff nurses and focusing on education technology for teachers and management techniques for Nursing Administrators. Steps are also being taken to improve quality of training at the existing government nursing institutions by providing them financial support. Seeking to give more responsibilities to nurses by giving them appropriate training Shri Azad said that quality of care for the mother and child will significantly improve by adopting this method. Speaking on the occasion the Minister reminded the achievements of NRHM since it was launched in 2005 by the UPA Government.

He said 1,60,000 people have been added to the human resources which includes induction of more than 10.000 doctors including 3100 specialists. 33,000 nurses and over 10,000 AYUSH doctors have been added for strengthening health delivery system. Under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK Scheme) every pregnant women is now entitled in absolutely free delivery, free checkups and free medicines and food during hospital stay. The facility of free transport to and fro home to hospital is also provided, he added.