(a) the patient-nurse ratio in Government hospitals especially in Delhi;
(b) whether due to shortage of nurses,the patient in Government hospitals are facing hardship ;
(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(d) whether the Government is planning to start new Nursing Colleges owing to large demand for nurses in India and abroad ; and
(e) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) to (e): The patient-nurse ratio in Government Hospitals vary from case to case depending upon various factors like the type of disease, nature of specialization, type of patient care required viz. indoor/outdoor.
However, in the Central Government Hospitals, due to the instructions of the Department of Personnel and Training vide their O.M. No.2/8/2001-PIC dated 16.5.2001, prescribing a limit that the Direct Recruitment can be resorted only against 1/3rd of the vacancies arising in a year subject to a further ceiling of 1% of the total sanctioned strength, this Department is not in a position to fill up all the posts of Medical and Non-Medical category in various Government hospitals including the posts of Nurses. The Department of Health has already taken up the matter at the highest level seeking exemption of technical/Scientific posts from the purview of these instructions. However, through proper deployment of nurses it is ensured that patient care services are not affected in the government Hospitals.
At present, there are 747 Diploma Schools of Nursing and 254 Colleges of Nursing functioning in the country. It is estimated that about 40,000 Nurses qualify per year. The Central Government was providing support for setting up of Nursing School in States during 9th Plan. Assistance for upgradation of Nursing Schools to Colleges under various State Governments has been provided for in the 10th Plan.