Editor,
While usually the national integration and such other phrases are considered as rhetoric, there have also been instances of they come alive, as evident from the scenario in some of the hospitals in Mumbai.
Not many would know that the KDAH located at Andheri West in Mumbai presents the best example of mini-India in its nursing staff. They comprise nurses from different parts of India, including Maharashtra and Kerala. Notably, they include a majority of the nurses from North East India.
A host of dedicated nurses ever ready to help include: Sara Dkhar from Meghalaya, Sonam Lepcha from Sikkim, Lokam Wancho from Arunachal Pradesh, Lata Devi from Imphal, Sabita Sarkar from Tripura, Albina from Assam, Anu A J from Kanyakumari, Jyoti Ghate from Union Territory of Silvassa, Chahal Bagwe from Mumbai….the long list goes on.
These nurses in the age group 20-22 joined the profession after completing a pre-degree course. Some of them joined after completing graduation. The KDAH provides them with all facilities, including hostel and transport, and better remuneration. The nurses are also employed in other private hospitals.
India produces over 60,000 nurses annually, with the capacity to train diploma, graduate, and postgraduate nurses. At present, there are 38.49 lakh registered nurses and midwives nationwide. However, the shortage persists. About 20% of nurses migrate abroad for better opportunities every year. There is a need for increased training programmes and improved nurse-to-population ratios, as suggested by the WHO.
The training is vital for the nurses. There are 2,278 (234 government and 2,044 private) nursing colleges in the country, and Karnataka has the highest number of nursing colleges with 367 institutes. Other states with a significant number of nursing colleges are Andhra Pradesh (138), Rajasthan (166) and Kerala (155).
Of late, there has been a surge in the movement of nurses since many nursing councils from different states undertake the job of providing nurses to hospitals across the country. The nursing profession has undergone significant growth in India over the years, and nursing care is crucial in preventing illness and providing care at the end of life.
Yours etc.,
Raju Vernekar,
Mumbai
