President Pranab Mukherjee honours a nurse at the presentation of
National Florence Nightingale Awards for the Nursing Personnel at
Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI)
NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over poor ratio of nurses as compared
to the global level, President Pranab Mukherjee today said there is a
need for greater focus on education and training of nursing personnel.
Conferring the National Florence Nightingale Awards to 35 nurses from across the country, Mukherjee said as a key constituent of the workforce of our country, nurses are an "invaluable asset".
"While serving in challenging conditions abroad, they have brought credit to our nation and contributed significantly through their remittances. Through their disciplined attitude and high level of proficiency, they have earned tremendous goodwill in all parts of the world," he said.
Mukherjee said it is well known that nurses are the largest workforce in the healthcare industry in India.
"If they are properly trained and strategically positioned, they can help develop quality health care, strengthen healthcare systems and work effectively in interdisciplinary teams," he said.
The President said nurses have an important contribution to make in planning and decision-making for the development of an appropriate and effective health policy for India, improving efficiency in public health programmes and reducing cost and wastage.
"There is also a need for greater focus on education and training of the nursing personnel. Under the 12th Five Year Plan, a budget of Rs 2,150 crore has been allocated to the programmes and schemes for the improvement of nursing services in India," he said.
Mukherjee expressed satisfaction that the government has taken several initiatives for the further development of pre-service and in-service training and education for the development, upgradation and strengthening of nursing services in India.
"We must keep in mind that the ratio of nurses in India, at the current level of 1.25 nurses per 1000 persons – is well below the world average of three per thousand. In some developed countries the ratio is actually much higher, varying from 9-12 nurses per 1000 persons," Mukherjee said.
The President said it is heartening to note that the total number of nursing institutions -- providing training in Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery, General Nursing and Midwifery and B.Sc programmes in Nursing -- has increased from about 1,700 in 2005 to more than 6,500 in 2014.
"During the same period, the total number of nursing personnel in these two categories registered with the Indian Nursing Council increased from 13.89 lakhs to 25.52 lakhs... Today, I understand, the strength of the nursing sector in our country is about 26 lakhs. Ninety per cent of
them are in hospitals and public health programmes," he said.
Union Minister for Health J P Nadda congratulated the award winners and appreciated their exemplary services and lauded the pivotal role played by them in health care.
The Florence Nightingale awards are given to the outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs. Nurses working in government, voluntary organisations, mission institutions and the private institutions can apply with the due recommendation of the state government concerned.
The Florence Nightingale Awards carries Rs 50,000 in cash, a certificate, a citation certificate and a medal.
Conferring the National Florence Nightingale Awards to 35 nurses from across the country, Mukherjee said as a key constituent of the workforce of our country, nurses are an "invaluable asset".
"While serving in challenging conditions abroad, they have brought credit to our nation and contributed significantly through their remittances. Through their disciplined attitude and high level of proficiency, they have earned tremendous goodwill in all parts of the world," he said.
Mukherjee said it is well known that nurses are the largest workforce in the healthcare industry in India.
"If they are properly trained and strategically positioned, they can help develop quality health care, strengthen healthcare systems and work effectively in interdisciplinary teams," he said.
The President said nurses have an important contribution to make in planning and decision-making for the development of an appropriate and effective health policy for India, improving efficiency in public health programmes and reducing cost and wastage.
"There is also a need for greater focus on education and training of the nursing personnel. Under the 12th Five Year Plan, a budget of Rs 2,150 crore has been allocated to the programmes and schemes for the improvement of nursing services in India," he said.
Mukherjee expressed satisfaction that the government has taken several initiatives for the further development of pre-service and in-service training and education for the development, upgradation and strengthening of nursing services in India.
"We must keep in mind that the ratio of nurses in India, at the current level of 1.25 nurses per 1000 persons – is well below the world average of three per thousand. In some developed countries the ratio is actually much higher, varying from 9-12 nurses per 1000 persons," Mukherjee said.
The President said it is heartening to note that the total number of nursing institutions -- providing training in Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery, General Nursing and Midwifery and B.Sc programmes in Nursing -- has increased from about 1,700 in 2005 to more than 6,500 in 2014.
"During the same period, the total number of nursing personnel in these two categories registered with the Indian Nursing Council increased from 13.89 lakhs to 25.52 lakhs... Today, I understand, the strength of the nursing sector in our country is about 26 lakhs. Ninety per cent of
them are in hospitals and public health programmes," he said.
Union Minister for Health J P Nadda congratulated the award winners and appreciated their exemplary services and lauded the pivotal role played by them in health care.
The Florence Nightingale awards are given to the outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs. Nurses working in government, voluntary organisations, mission institutions and the private institutions can apply with the due recommendation of the state government concerned.
The Florence Nightingale Awards carries Rs 50,000 in cash, a certificate, a citation certificate and a medal.
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