Govt to launch 4 Centres of Excellence for Nursing: Ramadoss

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) Faced with the shortage of almost a million nurses, the Government will soon launch four Centres of Excellence for nursing education in four metropolitan cities to coordinate and streamline the curriculum across the country.

''The launch of the four centres is in its final stages...

Discussions have been held with the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission... They will be started soon,'' Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told reporters after the inauguration of the Nursing College at Lady Hardinge Medical College here.

He said the Ministry was also contemplating to start the 5th centre in Guwahati for the entire North Eastern region.

Each centre will be constructed at the cost of Rs 25 crore.

''Nursing aspect of the Healthcare sector has always been neglected. At the moment we have one million nurses and we need another million.... The government is focusing on this aspect to overcome the manpower shortage,'' the Health Minister said.

''As part of the National Rural Health Mission, one of the biggest healthcare initiatives of the Government, nursing practiocners are required at every level. We want to ensure that they are available even at the primary level,'' he added.

Dr Ramadoss said the Ministry is also taking other initiatives for nurses -- ensuring education, quality curriculum and training, and upgrade of all schools to college status.

''Institutes like the Rajkumari Amrit Kaur will be set up and nurses will be provided training in specialized fields like cardiology, trauma and emergency medical care,'' he added.

UNI